A mere 29% of Germans are content with Chancellor Merz's performance after a hundred days in office.
After 100 days in office, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz's approval rating has taken a hit, reaching a new low of 29 percent, according to the latest RTL/ntv Trendbarometer poll conducted by the Forsa Institute.
The governing coalition of Merz's CDU/CSU and the SPD has also seen its combined support fall to 37 percent. Within this, the CDU/CSU itself has slipped to 24 percent, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has risen to 26 percent, making it the most popular party in Germany.
The survey, conducted 100 days after the start of the coalition, reveals a significant decline in public confidence in the federal government's ability to handle Germany's problems. Only 19 percent of respondents believe the CDU/CSU can effectively address the country's challenges. Trust in the AfD has risen to 12 percent, and the SPD holds the confidence of just 7 percent of the public in this area.
Criticism of Merz points to his failure to fulfill campaign promises and to prevent the rise of the AfD, with his government perceived as lacking control and direction. Satisfaction with Merz's performance has decreased sharply compared to earlier months, from 43% approval in June to 29% in August, with dissatisfaction rising to 67%.
The SPD, coalition partner of the Federal Chancellor, remains at 13% in the survey. The Left party has lost slightly and now stands at 11%. The Greens have gained one point and also stand at 13% in the survey.
The survey also suggests that 43% of respondents expect that the current Black-Red coalition will break up prematurely, similar to the previous traffic light coalition. However, a narrow majority (52%) of respondents believe that the current federal government will last until the end of the legislative period in spring 2029.
In summary, Chancellor Merz's political standing after the first 100 days is precarious, marked by declining approval ratings, a weakened governing coalition, and the unexpected ascendancy of the far-right AfD as Germany’s most popular party according to the RTL/ntv Trendbarometer. The survey also indicates a growing dissatisfaction with the government's performance and a possible premature breakup of the coalition.
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Commemoration of 200 Days of American Resurgence Unveiled
- Minister Bärbel Bas expresses doubts about her tenure as a minister following a recent interview during the summer.
- Politicians from both Republican and Democratic parties are urging President Trump to maintain the security agreement with Australia and the United Kingdom.
