Poll: Far-right AfD leads Merz's conservatives by record five points

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has widened its poll lead over Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives to an unprecedented five points in a survey by the Forsa Institute.

The anti-immigrant AfD has surged in polling in recent weeks amid growing dissatisfaction with Merz's coalition government and fears of rising inflation due to the war in Iran. 

The AfD, which is under investigation by German intelligence services for its extremist views, is the country's largest opposition party after finishing second in parliamentary elections last year.

In the latest Forsa poll, the far-right party rose by one percentage point from last week to 27%, matching its all-time high from last year. 

In contrast, Merz's conservative bloc - made up of his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) - fell by two points to 22%. 

Satisfaction with Merz's performance has reached new lows, with only 15% saying they are happy with the chancellor's work, down three points since last week. An overwhelming 83% said they are not impressed with his performance.

Merz's coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was unchanged on 12% alongside The Left, which gained one point. The opposition Greens were third on 15%.

The polling firm surveyed 2,503 voters between April 21-27 for broadcaster RTL's "Trendbarometer."

Other polls have also recorded a rise in support for the AfD, with the INSA institute putting the party on a record 28% on Saturday.