Majority expresses discontent towards the government and chancellor, according to Insa poll
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office on May 6, 2025, has seen a significant drop in approval ratings since his first 100 days in office. According to a recent survey, only 29% of Germans are satisfied with his performance, while a staggering 67% express dissatisfaction[4].
This marks a sharp decline from his initial approval ratings, which were around 43% in June 2025[1][4]. The ruling coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD, led by Chancellor Merz, has also seen a decline in support, currently at 37%[1][3].
In contrast, during his first 100 days in office, which began on December 8, 2021, Olaf Scholz faced a mixed reaction. Specific approval ratings for Scholz during those initial days are not detailed in the provided search results. However, Scholz's tenure was marked by significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which likely influenced public perception.
Key Differences
- Challenges Faced: Scholz had to navigate major international crises like the pandemic and the Ukraine war, which were significant factors in public opinion. Merz, on the other hand, is dealing with domestic issues such as rising energy costs, crime, and migration reforms[5].
- Public Perception: While Scholz's approval ratings were influenced by his handling of external crises, Merz's low ratings are more tied to his perceived inability to address Germany's internal challenges and meet his campaign promises[3][5].
- Coalition Dynamics: Both leaders have faced challenges in maintaining support for their respective coalitions. Merz's coalition with the SPD is currently at 37%, while Scholz's SPD-led coalition also experienced fluctuations during his tenure[3][4].
The Rise of the AfD
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has capitalized on dissatisfaction with the mainstream parties, reaching a historic high of 26% support, surpassing both the CDU/CSU and SPD[2][4]. This rise is partly attributed to the AfD's stance on migration and its appeal in eastern Germany[2]. The AfD's popularity highlights a growing divide in German politics and challenges to the established parties[5].
According to the current Sunday trend of "Bild am Sonntag", the Union and SPD would remain at 27% and 15% respectively if elections were held today. The AfD would currently be the second-strongest force with 25%, followed by the Greens with 11% and the Left with 9% (-1). The Alliance for Progress and Social Justice (BSW) remains at 4%.
A new survey by Insa for "Bild am Sonntag" shows that around 100 days after the start of the coalition, 60% of German citizens are dissatisfied with the federal government and Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). This dissatisfaction is reflected in the survey's findings, which show that only 30% of Germans are currently satisfied with Chancellor Merz's work, while 59% have a critical view of him[2]. Thirteen percent did not provide an answer in the survey.
The survey does not provide a majority for the black-red coalition, as more Germans are dissatisfied than satisfied with the federal government and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This suggests a challenging road ahead for the coalition as they seek to regain public trust and support.
[1] [https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article210086857/Umfrage-Nach-100-Tagen-Zur-Bewertung-von-Friedrich-Merz.html] [2] [https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/afd-wird-zum-zweitstarksten-kraft-in-deutschland-107486050.bild.html] [3] [https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/umfrage-zu-friedrich-merz-und-dem-schwarz-rot-kabinett-a-135265668.html] [4] [https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/umfrage-friedrich-merz-101.html] [5] [https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/umfrage-die-afd-wird-zum-zweitstarksten-partei-in-deutschland-10748544.html]
- The policy-and-legislation agenda of Chancellor Friedrich Merz has come under scrutiny, with only 30% of Germans expressing satisfaction with his performance, according to a recent survey, while 60% show dissatisfaction.
- The politics of the current German government, led by Chancellor Merz, is facing a challenging road ahead, as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gained significant support, challenging the established parties and potentially shifting the general news narrative in German politics.
