The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is gaining popularity and currently surpassing the three parties forming the country’s coalition government. This surge in support is largely attributed to concerns about immigration among voters.

According to data from eight different platforms, the AfD is currently polling between 19% and 23% nationwide, making it one of the leading political parties in Germany.

The data reveals that the AfD enjoys higher support than the Social Democrats (SDP), the Greens, and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) – the parties currently in Germany’s coalition government. However, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), formerly led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, still holds the highest popularity.

The upcoming state elections in Hesse, which includes Frankfurt, and Bavaria, which includes Munich, will be crucial in assessing German sentiment towards the AfD. These elections will determine whether voters view the party as a solution to the country’s major social and economic challenges.

In June, the far-right party achieved a significant victory by securing a district council seat in the town of Sonneberg in Thuringia. Many observers are now eager to see if similar successes will occur in other electorates.

Robert Lambrou, the AfD candidate for the state of Hesse, highlighted that voters in west-central Germany are particularly concerned about education and traffic issues. However, immigration remains the primary concern.

Lambrou explained, “First of all, you need a political will to stop [immigration], and we don’t see this will among the other parties. Many citizens share the same view and express heavy disappointment with the government’s policies.”

The regional election results on Sunday will test Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s leadership, especially as he has faced challenges during the energy crisis and a period where Germany’s economic health has been questioned.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action did not provide immediate comments on the matter.

German banks have criticized Scholz’s policies, arguing that structural changes are necessary to prevent a shift towards right-wing politics.

Commerzbank CEO Manfred Knof stated, “We were pretty much in good shape for a long time, maybe asleep and not ready to modernize and tackle the necessary structural changes. An agenda could help bring the population back, as democracy is not self-evident and requires continuous defense.”

Hans-Werner Sinn, president emeritus at the Ifo institute, highlighted that the government’s focus on a greener future could lead to right-leaning political consequences. He noted, “There is a clear backlash. The population is now moving to the right,” referring to the increased popularity of the AfD.

These concerns were raised during the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy, emphasizing the need for pragmatic policies in the current political landscape.