Poll: Nearly Half of East Germans Support AfD in Coalition Government

Herz — World Desk · 26 July 2026 at 08:52 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What we know

A YouGov poll commissioned by Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), published on July 26, 2026, measures German opinion on whether the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) should participate in government. The survey focuses on two states where regional elections are scheduled for September: Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

If the AfD finishes first without an absolute majority, 47% of East Germans surveyed support its participation in a coalition. This figure stands at 37% in West Germany.

Preferring a coalition excluding the AfD: 29% of East Germans favor this option, compared to 36% in West Germany. A new election would be approved by 11% in the East and 12% in the West. No response: 13% in the East and 15% in the West.

Democracy: Different regional perceptions

Regarding the democratic impact of an AfD-inclusive coalition, 38% of East Germans believe it would strengthen democracy, compared to 34% who fear the opposite. In West Germany, 30% anticipate strengthening and 47% anticipate weakening.

An AfD-only government raises greater concerns. In the East, 44% fear democratic weakening and 30% anticipate strengthening. In the West, these proportions are respectively 57% and 21%.