Nearly half of Germans believe the inclusion of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in a federal government would be harmful to the country, according to a survey by opinion research institute Insa.
The survey found 47% agreed with the statement that Germany would be harmed if the AfD came to power, while 36% disagreed. Of those surveyed, 17% did not provide an answer.
The survey, commissioned by the Sunday edition of tabloid Bild and published a week ahead of crucial state elections, found 22% of respondents said they would leave Germany if the AfD came to power.
A total of 1,001 respondents across Germany took part in the survey between August 27-28.
The AfD, Germany's largest opposition party, was founded in 2013 as an anti-euro party then shifted direction to focus on reducing migration.
The AfD branches in five of Germany's 16 federal states – including four states in the east – are classified as "confirmed" right-wing extremist movements by intelligence agencies, allowing for the party to be monitored by authorities.
The party has risen in popularity recently, benefiting from discontent with the political establishment in Berlin.
The AfD is polling above 40% in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of a crucial state election on September 6, raising the prospect that it could achieve an outright majority – provoking intense debate as to what that might mean for the country as a whole.
All mainstream parties refuse to work with the AfD, a policy famously known as the "firewall," but successive governments have rejected calls for the party to be banned due to its extremist positions.
FILE PHOTO – People walk in front of the party logo at the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party conference in Magdeburg. (is associated with: «Survey: Most believe Germany would be harmed if AfD enters government») Carsten Koall/dpa
