The two major parties, Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the conservative alliance of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), have both seen their support erode in recent years.
Germany is set for a snap election on 23 February after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government collapsed, triggering a race between the established parties and a rising tide of smaller contenders.
Germany's mainstream parties all favour helping Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion, while the AfD and BSW want an end to weapons deliveries to Kyiv and a resumption of good relations with Moscow.
A slew of violent attacks linked to foreign suspects in Germany have compounded public concerns over security and migration, prompting political parties to demand stricter measures on migration.
However, Scholz and his SPD have recently struck a more cautious tone - emphasising the need for diplomacy - than the conservatives, Greens and FDP, who are all in favour of Germany delivering long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv.
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