Title: A Mixed Bag: Cabinet Competence Survey Results Revealed
Halfway through its tenure, the German government comprising the SPD, Greens, and FDP has experienced a setback just before the festive season. The latest forsa survey commissioned by RTL/ntv has delivered a stinging mid-term report card, casting a dismal light on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's (SPD) tenure and his cabinet's competence.
The survey leaves no doubts: A majority of respondents believe that most of the cabinet is not fit for government office. At the very bottom of the competence list, we find Scholz himself - with only 19% approval. The substantial majority of 73% disagrees, with his catastrophic competence score reaching -54 points upon deducting "not suitable" votes from the "suitable" votes.
Numerous ministers from all parties share their disfavor, with ten cabinet members being rated "not suitable" by more respondents. Fellow SPD members Nancy Faeser (Interior Minister) and Klara Geywitz (Construction Minister) slide into second and third place with scores of -48 and -42 respectively.
Fireworks in the positive zone
Defense Minister Pistorius steals the show, exhibiting a remarkable competence score of +59 points. Following close behind are FDP Transport Minister Volker Wissing (-39), FDP Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (-33), Green Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (-23), and her colleague Family Minister Lisa Paus (-22). Several high-profile cabinet members, including Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP, -14), Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens, -14), and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens, -9), also land in the "not suitable" category.
Nevertheless, not all hope is lost, as every governing party can point to at least one capable minister. Greens boast Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (+13), while FDP sports Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (+5). The SPD notches up four names: Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (+2), Chancellery Chief Wolfgang Schmidt (+12), and Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (+15). The survey's shining star, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (+59 points), sets the tone with an impressive showing that separates him from the rest of the cabinet.
Shrinking faith in the traffic light system: A ticking time bomb
While Pistorius's impressive score highlights a glimmer of hope, the survey reveals an alarming erosion of confidence in the majority of cabinet members. Some have deteriorated significantly in comparison to their ratings from last year. Interior Minister Faeser, Finance Minister Lindner, and Foreign Minister Baerbock are among the cabinet members who have suffered the most notable drops in their competence scores. Overall, the survey reveals a dramatic loss of faith in the German traffic light system.
Statistics taken from the forsa survey conducted from December 6 to 8, 2023, among 1006 respondents.
If you're curious about Germany's broader political landscape…
The survey places Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the top, with a remarkable competence score of +59 points, demonstrating his outstanding capabilities. Despite this positive note, the survey shows a significant general deterioration in confidence in many ministers, with Interior Minister Faeser, Finance Minister Lindner, and Foreign Minister Baerbock among those who have undergone the most significant drops in their competence scores. The survey also unveils that a majority of respondents view Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) as unfit for their positions, giving them negative competence scores of -54 and -14 respectively. FDP Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger and Greens Environment Minister Steffi Lemke also received negative scores, while SPD Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, Chancellery Chief Wolfgang Schmidt, and Labor Minister Hubertus Heil managed to earn positive, albeit marginal, scores.
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(Note: Enrichment data is subtly integrated into the base article, rather than presented as separate insights)
