Poll Measures Positive Public Feeling Towards the New Administration - Government Approval Rating Ascends in Recent Political Survey
New Black-Red Coalition Faces Mixed Sentiment in Germany
The newly formed black-red coalition government in Germany, comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and Social Democratic Party (SPD), is off to a somewhat rocky start as initial polls indicate that while some citizens view its start as good, many harbor higher expectations.
According to the latest "Politbarometer" survey, only 41% of respondents described the coalition's inception as positive, with 51% considering it poor. Furthermore, if a federal election were to be held next Sunday, the CDU/CSU would see a slight decline to 26% support, while the AfD would remain steady at 23%. The SPD would gain one point, reaching 16%, and Greens would see a slight improvement to 12% support.
Immediately following the coalition's assumption of office, the new Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), ordered intensified border controls and rejections. Although 51% of respondents expect this measure to significantly reduce the number of asylum seekers and refugees, 47% remain skeptical about its effectiveness.
The public remains skeptical about the coalition's ability to solve problems in the area of "refugees and asylum", with 51% expressing doubt in the government's competence, as compared to 44% who believe it will contribute to resolving the issues.
In other policy areas, little is expected in terms of improvements. Only 25% expect improvements in the area of pensions and old-age security, while 72% do not. Similarly, only 22% anticipate improvements in the area of housing market and rents, with 75% expressing doubts.
However, the public does express trust in the government's ability to boost the economy, with 64% approving of higher defense spending and overwhelming majorities across the CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, and FDP supporting increased spending on the Bundeswehr and defense.
With respect to political sympathy and performance, Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) leads in overall approval, with an average rating of 2.2 on a scale of plus 5 to minus 5. Following him are the Left MP Gregor Gysi (0.8), SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil (0.7), former Green Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (-0.1), Chancellor Friedrich Merz (-0.1), CSU chairman Markus Söder (-0.3), former Chancellor Olaf Scholz (-0.6), former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) (-0.7), BSW chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht (-1.8), and AfD chairwoman Alice Weidel (-2.5).
The survey for the "Politbarometer" was conducted by the Mannheimer Forschungsgruppe Wahlen for the ZDF. The interviews were conducted by telephone and online with 1,328 randomly selected voters between May 20 and 22, 2025, with a margin of error of approximately plus/minus three percentage points for a proportion of 40% and approximately plus/minus two percentage points for a proportion of ten percent.
While the new government faces challenges in multiple policy areas, its ability to address these issues effectively will be crucial in shaping broader public opinion and cementing its standing in the coming months.
- The new government's employment policy, particularly in areas such as pensions and old-age security, and the housing market and rents, is expected to show little improvement, according to the public.
- A significant number of citizens are skeptical about the black-red coalition's ability to effectively address issues related to refugees and asylum, with 51% expressing doubt compared to 44% who believe it will contribute positively.
- Other areas of policy concern include migration, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice, where the public has low expectations of improvements.
- In contrast, the public demonstrates trust in the government's potential to bolster the economy, with 64% approving of higher defense spending.
- The foreign minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), has ordered intensified border controls and rejections, a policy measure that is met with divided opinions, with 51% believing it will significantly reduce the number of asylum seekers and refugees, and 47% remaining skeptical about its effectiveness.
