Germany's Ukip, the AfD, becomes second biggest party

[-:Undertaker:-]

Germany's Ukip, the AfD, becomes second biggest party

Unprecedented rise of the AfD and the collapse of the main centre-left party

Germany: Right-wing populist AfD (EFDD) now second strongest party in both YouGov and INSA polls. #NoGroko #GroKo

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) February 28, 2018

Germany, YouGov poll:

CDU/CSU-EPP: 32% (-2)
SPD-S&D: 16% (-3)
AfD-EFDD: 16% (+2)
LINKE-LEFT: 12% (+1)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 12% (+2)
FDP-ALDE: 8%

Field work: 26/02/18 – 28/02/18
Sample size: 1,585

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) February 28, 2018

Germany (Brandenburg, Cottbus), Infratest dimap poll:

AfD-EFDD: 29% (+18)
CDU-EPP: 24% (-5)
LINKE-LEFT: 17%
SPD-S&D: 15% (-17)
FDP-ALDE: 6% (+5)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 5%

Field work: 21/02/18 – 28/02/18
Sample size: 1,000

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) March 1, 2018

Germany (East Germany), Emnid poll:

CDU-EPP: 26% (-2)
AfD-EFDD: 25% (+3)
SPD-S&D: 14%

No values for LINKE (LEFT), GRÜNE (G/EFA, FDP (ALDE), NPD (*) and Others given.

Field work: N/A
Sample size: 8/02/18 – 14/02/18

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) February 18, 2018

Okay so I hear you asking why this is such a big deal when in countries on the continent this is common, well the answer is that German politics since World War II has been dominated by the two big parties called the Christian Democrats and the Social Democratic Party. They've dominated politics like the Conservatives and Labour dominate ours.

But that has changed, and the SPD has virtually collapsed. More interesting is the surge in eastern Germany for the AfD. If you thought the turbulence of 2016 was over, think again.

[-:Undertaker:-]

The SPD has just voted today - and some would say decided to commit suicide - to join a Coalition government with the CDU, meaning in terms of seats in the Reichstag the AfD is now the main opposition party. Can only build on this for the next election.