New Government's Approval Ratings Show Increased Public Satisfaction - Government Approval Index Tracks Growing Public Optimism Towards New Administration
New Government's Inauguration Met with Mixed Sentiments
The new black-red coalition government, comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has begun its tenure under a cloud of cautious anticipation, as revealed in the latest "Politbarometer" survey.
Although 41% of respondents described the coalition's inception as favorable, 51% considered it rather unfavorable. This mixed reception may stem from the ongoing challenges faced by Germany, such as the war in Ukraine, economic uncertainty, and global tensions.
In a hypothetical federal election held the following Sunday, the CDU/CSU and SPD combination would fall short of a majority. The CDU/CSU would decrease slightly to 26%, and the AfD would remain steady at 23%. The SPD and Greens would see a slight improvement, with the SPD reaching 16% and the Greens at 12%.
The Left would maintain 10%, the BSW 3%, and the FDP 4%. This polling indicates a shift in voter preferences, potentially influencing the future political landscape.
The new Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), initiated stricter border controls upon taking office. A sizable 51% of respondents anticipate these controls will reduce the influx of asylum seekers and refugees, while 47% doubt their effectiveness.
Citizens are also skeptical about the coalition's ability to address problems in the refugee and asylum arena, with only 44% believing it will make a significant contribution. Similarly, improvements in pension and old-age security, the housing market and rents, and the economy are not widely expected.
The majority of respondents, 70%, support increased spending on the Bundeswehr and defense. All major parties—CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, and FDP—show strong support for this policy, with only 26% objecting.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) currently enjoys the highest level of public favorability, with an average rating of 2.2 on a scale of plus 5 to minus 5. Following him are prominent political figures such as SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil, the Left MP Gregor Gysi, former Green Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The survey was conducted by the Mannheimer Forschungsgruppe Wahlen for the ZDF, interviewing 1,328 randomly selected eligible voters between May 20 and 22, 2025. The margin of error for a proportion of 40% is approximately plus/minus three percentage points, and for a proportion of 10%, it is about plus/minus two percentage points.
In the complex international and national context, the public's sentiment toward this new government seems shaped by a balanced mix of skepticism and pragmatic acceptance. As the coalition's policies are implemented, public opinion will likely evolve, aligning with or diverging from the government's efforts to address Germany's pressing needs.
- The new government's policy on migration, particularly stricter border controls, has sparked diverse opinions among the community, with 51% anticipating it will reduce asylum seekers and refugees, while 47% question its effectiveness.
- The policy-and-legislation agenda of the new government, especially in regard to war-and-conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, and global tensions, is a topic of great interest in general-news discussions.
- Amidst concerns about economic uncertainty and the necessity for policy changes, crime-and-justice issues, especially addressing problems in the refugee and asylum arena, have become politically significant, with only 44% of respondents believing the new government will make a substantial contribution in this area.
