Scholz's SPD Records Lowest Support In FGW Poll Since Election

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) has recorded its lowest level of support in a poll by outlet FGW since the September 2021 federal election. The environmentalist Greens, which sit as a junior coalition partner to Scholz's SPD, record their highest level of support with FGW since the election in the same poll, drawing level with the main opposition centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU).

• FSW: CDU/CSU: 26% (=), Greens: 26% (+1), SPD: 19% (-2), AfD: 12% (+1), FDP: 7% (+1), Die Linke: 4% (-1). Fieldwork 9-11 Aug, chgs 12-14 July, sample: 1,389
• Scholz is coming under increasing political pressure as concerns about winter energy supplies mount and inflationary pressures hit German households. However, the opprobrium directed towards Scholz and the SPD is not impacting on the Greens, which sit alongside the SPD and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP) in the 'traffic light' coalition gov't.
• The next notable electoral contest in Germany comes in October, when the northwestern state of Lower Saxony goes to the polls to elect its regional Landtag. There, the SPD governs in coalition with the CDU. Polls have for months shown the SPD leading and in the best position to lead the next gov't. However, the latest polling shows the CDU have taken first place and could look to head the next administration.
• The loss of Lower Saxony could prove a major blow to Scholz's credibility ahead of what is looking like a difficult autumn/winter for the Chancellor.