As German conservatives secure coalition deal, far-right AfD tops poll for first time

BERLIN — German conservatives under Friedrich Merz have agreed a coalition deal with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), aiming to revive growth in Europe’s largest economy just as a global trade war threatens recession.

The deal caps weeks of haggling between chancellor-in-waiting Merz and the SPD after he topped elections in February but fell well short of a majority, with the far-right Alternative for Germany surging into second place.

Pressure to reach a deal has taken on new urgency as the government will take charge at a time of global turbulence in an escalating trade conflict sparked by US President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs.

The coalition is the only possible two-party majority that excludes the AFD whose support has surged on a nativist, anti-migration agenda.

In a blow to Merz, a survey by Ipsos released on Wednesday shows the AfD topping the polls for the first time with 25%, overtaking Merz’s conservatives who slip to 24%.

It follows another poll by the Forsa institute, which showed 60% of respondents said Merz was not fit to be chancellor, including 28% of CDU/CSU voters.