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• The University of Freiburg’s political panel survey provides information about views on foreign and security policy as well as coalition preferences after the 2025 German parliamentary elections.
• The people see a grand coalition between CDU/CSU and SPD as the best option among poor alternatives’¬, says Prof. Dr. Uwe Wagschal from the Department of Political Science, which conducts the political panel survey.
• 8,889 people were surveyed for the political panel between 24 February and 2 March 2025 via an online questionnaire.
The latest results of the University of Freiburg’s Political Panel Germany (Politikpanel Deutschland) survey reveal growing scepticism among Germans on the question of whether Germany can rely on the USA. Only 10.0 per cent of the respondents agree or strongly agree that this is the case, whereas 29.7 per cent still gave one of these two responses in September 2023. The responses to this question differ depending on party preference, as is also the case with other foreign and security policy issues, such as relations with Russia or the possible deployment of German troops for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. A so-called grand coalition between CDU/CSU and SPD is viewed by 42.9 of the respondents in a positive or very positive light. This coalition thus meets with the highest approval rating in comparison with the other possible options. Prof. Dr. Uwe Wagschal from the Department of Political Science and his team surveyed 8,889 people for the political panel between 24 February and 2 March 2025 via an online questionnaire.
Cooperation with the USA and Russia – differences depend on party preference
The survey reveals growing scepticism towards the USA. For example, 10.0 per cent of the respondents agree or strongly agree with the statement that Germany can rely on the USA in case of need (2023: 29.7 per cent). The opinions on this issue differ depending on party preference. For example, agreement or strong agreement with this statement is currently at 9.4 per cent among CDU/CSU voters (2023: 53.9 per cent), 3.8 per cent among SPD voters (2023: 49.8 per cent), 1.2 per cent among The Left voters (2023: 23.1 per cent), and 3.0 per cent among The Greens voters (2023: 49.6 per cent), whereas it is at 24.3 per cent among AfD voters (2023: 15,7 per cent). In the AfD, a reverse trend can be observed in comparison to the other parties. The results on the question of how Germany should cooperate with the USA also reveal differences depending on party preference: 54.1 per cent of AfD voters would like to see somewhat or much closer cooperation, as compared to 28.4 per cent of CDU, 13.5 per cent of SPD, 8.2 of The Greens, and 7.8 of The Left supporters.
There are also differences on the question of whether Germany should cooperate with Russia. For example, 82.3 per cent of AfD voters would like to see somewhat or much closer cooperation, as compared to 13.3 per cent of CDU/CSU, 11.9 per cent of The Left, 7.0 per cent of SPD, and 3.0 per cent of The Greens voters.
Deployment of German troops in Ukraine controversial, European army viewed more positively
Among the parties represented in the new German parliament, there is a majority only among voters of The Greens in favour of German troops being involved in a peacekeeping force in Ukraine (52.0 per cent). Agreement on this issue is lowest among AfD voters, at 7.2 per cent. A majority of voters of all parties represented in the German parliament except for the AfD agree that Germany should support the establishment of a common European army: The Greens (85.8 per cent agreement or strong agreement), SPD (81.0 per cent), CDU/CSU (78.1 per cent), The Left (60.1 per cent), AfD (23.2 per cent).
Highest approval rating for ‘grand coalition’
The population is sceptical with regard to coalitions. A so-called grand coalition between CDU/CSU and SPD is viewed by 42,9 per cent in a positive or very positive light. In contrast, a Kenia coalition between CDU/CSU, SPD, and The Greens receives only 19.2 per cent, a minority government of CDU/CSU and The Greens 11.9 per cent, and a coalition between CDU/CSU and AfD 27.3 per cent approval. ‘The people see a grand coalition between CDU/CSU and SPD as the best option among poor alternatives’, concludes Wagschal.
About Political Panel Germany
Political Panel Germany (Politikpanel Deutschland) is a survey conducted at the University of Freiburg’s Department of Political Science by Prof. Dr. Uwe Wagschal and PD Dr. Sebastian Jäckle with the assistance of Kira Kurz, Judith Reinbold, Marius Fröhle, and Ronald Schleehauf. The results offer detailed insight into the voting behaviour, coalition preferences, and views on foreign policy of German voters.
More information [de]: https://www.politikpanel.uni-freiburg.de/docs/Auswertung_PPD_Februar_2025.pdf
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https://uni-freiburg.de/en/coalition-preferences-cooperation-with-usa-european-a...
Prof. Dr. Uwe Wagschal
Jürgen Gocke / University of Freiburg
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Prof. Dr. Uwe Wagschal
Jürgen Gocke / University of Freiburg
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