For the first time in months, the BSW (Sahra Wagenknecht’s alliance) has dropped below the five-percent threshold in nationwide polling, now standing at just four percent.
This marks its lowest point since May, according to a recent Forsa survey. The party’s recent dip in support could be linked to internal struggles, particularly the rift between Wagenknecht and the state associations in Saxony and Thuringia.
The BSW, which was founded in 2023, has faced several ups and downs, previously peaking at ten percent in the summer and fall. However, tensions flared within the party when Wagenknecht pushed for the inclusion of a “peace preamble” in any coalition agreement, demanding that the coalition partners either comply or risk the BSW not participating in the government. This caused a significant rift, especially in Saxony, where exploratory talks stalled despite several attempts to reach an agreement.
These internal issues seem to have contributed to the party’s declining numbers following the recent state elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg. Wagenknecht’s push to solidify the party’s position ahead of the 2025 federal elections might have backfired, as the new elections were unexpectedly moved up by seven months due to the ongoing government crisis.
Meanwhile, the coalition parties (SPD, Greens, and FDP) are also facing difficulties. The SPD and Greens both saw minor losses in the latest survey, with each party now sitting at 15 percent and 11 percent, respectively. On the other hand, opposition parties like the CDU and AfD are reaping the benefits of the government crisis, with the CDU leading at 33 percent and the AfD at 18 percent.
The BSW’s fall below five percent is not the only issue for small parties—both the FDP and the Left Party are also struggling, with both currently polling at just four percent, which would not be enough to secure seats in the Bundestag. Meanwhile, smaller parties like the Free Voters, Alliance Germany, and WertenUnion together account for 11 percent of the vote.
