(ANSA) - BERLIN - The migrant crisis that hit Germany and the disagreements between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the CSU's allies made the right-wing Alternative fuer Deutschland (AFD) push ahead: according to the Forsa, Petry's party reached 5% this week, surpassing the threshold that would allow them to have a seat in federal parliament.

After the split caused by the defectors, following the former founder Bernd Lucke's exit, the party had fallen down to 3%, but the migrant crisis caused uncertainty in some sections of the population and this phenomenon is especially visible in Bavaria - hugely affected by massive influx of asylum seekers - where Afd this week scored 6%, recovering two points. ''With its attacks on the chancellor and her policy on refugees, Horst Seehofer (CSU leader) has made hostility towards foreigners acceptable, this being the main issue for Alternative'', said Manfred Guellner, head of the Forsa. Backing for Frau Merkel fell last week to the lowest levels ever, but still remains very high, 49%. Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel is ranked second with 14%. In terms of political parties, the poll sees the Union led by Frau Merkel stable at 40% and the Social Democrats still at 25%.

Green and Left Party remain at 10% and the Liberals at 5%.

(ANSA).