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In an unexpected turn of events, The Union gains ground in public favor, while discontent persists among the majority of federal citizens towards Federal Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz. These findings are based on a survey conducted by polling institute "Infratest" involving 1,292 eligible voters for "Deutschlandtrend" of ARD during Monday and Tuesday of this week.
If another Bundestag election were held this weekend, the CDU/CSU would presently secure a 29% share, marking a 2% increase since May. The AfD remains unchanged at 23%. The SPD retains 15%, whilst the Green Party gains 1% to reach 12%. The Left experiences a 1% drop, sitting at 9%. The BSW and the FDP remain at 4%, currently falling below the threshold for seats. All other parties together would gather a 4% loss.
At the outset of his term, Friedrich Merz has experienced a boost in confidence among eligible voters. Currently, nearly four out of ten Germans (39%) express high or moderate levels of satisfaction with his performance – a 14 percentage point increase from April's start. However, the majority (56%) continue to express lesser or no satisfaction.
Within the federal cabinet, only Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) enjoys widespread approval, with 61% expressing satisfaction (+1 compared to April). New Finance Minister and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, much like Chancellor Merz, records a satisfaction rating of 39% (+4), whereas around the same number (40%) express dissatisfaction with his work.
Every third person (32%) approves of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), representing a 13-point increase since July 2018 in his post as Federal Minister of Transport. Conversely, 47% are less satisfied with Dobrindt. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) records a satisfaction rating of 30%, with 25% expressing dissatisfaction and nearly half (45%) either not knowing him or hesitant to state an opinion.
Every fourth person (26%) approves of the AfD faction leader Alice Weidel, while two-thirds (66%) express dissatisfaction. Every sixth person (17%) approves of the Left faction leader Heidi Reichinnek (+5 compared to February), with 28% expressing dissatisfaction and a majority (55%) either unaware of her or reluctant to express an opinion. A third of respondents (12%) express approval for the Green faction leader Katharina Dröge, with 26% less or no satisfaction, and a majority (62%) either unaware or hesitant to voice an opinion.
A month after its inauguration, 40% of those surveyed are highly or moderately satisfied with the work of the new federal government. However, over half (51%) remain less or no satisfied. A slim majority (55%) believe the federal government can bolster the German economy again (+1 compared to the end of February). 52% trust them to better represent German interests worldwide (+1), while 43% believe they can make life in Germany safer (-4). A narrow majority (55%) also does not believe the federal government can effectively limit and control irregular migration (-4), and only slightly over half (38%) think they can offer more social security (-6).
dts news agency
[1] It's worth noting that BSW, or Bundespartei Deutscher Soziale Bürger, is a relatively new party that has gained some traction recently.
[2] The controversy surrounding Merz's election includes the suspension of the domestic intelligence agency's designation of the AfD as "right-wing extremist" and the need for procedural changes in the Bundestag to secure Merz's position.
[3] The opposition from the AfD, which has capitalized on public discontent, poses a challenge to the coalition's stability.
[4] The pressure to exclude the AfD from political alliances has led to unusual coalitions and potential instability.
[5] Merz's government faces multiple challenges, including the need to maintain support across the coalition and to balance the political landscape while maintaining stability.
- The policy-and-legislation implications of this survey, showing a slight increase in support for the CDU/CSU and the SPD, might indicate a shift in general-news trends within the German political landscape, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding Friedrich Merz's election.
- The politics of exclusion, as exemplified by the pressure to exclude the AfD from political alliances, could potentially fuel further discontent among federal citizens, impacting policy-and-legislation decisions and general-news headlines in the coming months.
