Many Germans find Merz and Scholz indistinguishable.
Article Title: Friedrich Merz's Approval Ratings Lag Behind Olaf Scholz After First 100 Days
A recent survey conducted by vmi and published on ntv.de has revealed that Friedrich Merz's approval ratings as Chancellor are lower than those of his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, at the same stage in their terms.
After 100 days in office, Merz has about 30% approval, with around 59% of Germans dissatisfied with his performance. This compares to Scholz, who enjoyed approximately 43% approval and 41% dissatisfaction after his first 100 days.
The governing coalition led by Merz (CDU/CSU with SPD as junior partner) also faces low support, with only about 37% of the electorate backing it. This reflects a trend similar to that seen under Scholz's prior coalition (SPD, Greens, FDP). Additionally, the government under Merz is viewed more negatively overall, with 60% disapproving of the cabinet's work compared to only 27% approving.
The assessment of the Union as the dominant coalition partner is particularly strong among Greens (72%), Left (65%), and CDU/CSU (63%) voters. However, among supporters of the SPD, a slight majority (34%) sees their own party ahead, while AfD supporters tend to see the SPD (47%) as the dominant partner. Only 27% attribute the role of dominant coalition partner to the SPD.
When it comes to trust in Merz's crisis management skills, a majority of citizens do not believe he will successfully guide Germany through current crises and challenges. Only 38 percent believe in Merz's ability to manage crises, while 62% do not.
The survey also reveals interesting demographic differences in Merz's approval ratings. Men tend to rate Merz more positively (35%) than women (28%). However, among Union supporters, women (72%) are more likely to trust Merz's crisis management skills than men (69%).
Support for Merz is highest among Union supporters, with 71% rating him as a better chancellor. However, among other political camps, the picture is less rosy. Only 18% of SPD supporters think Merz is superior, while 54% of SPD supporters trust his crisis management skills. Among Greens supporters, 45% trust Merz's crisis management skills, and among AfD voters, only 7% believe in his leadership strength.
In eastern Germany, only 21 percent see Merz ahead, while 56 percent see no difference. In the west, the proportion of Merz supporters is somewhat higher at 33 percent.
In conclusion, the current public opinion indicates that Merz is less popular than Scholz was at this point in their respective tenures, with greater dissatisfaction towards his leadership and coalition governance. The survey also highlights a lack of trust in Merz's crisis management skills and a divided opinion among political camps.
[1] Source: Forsa poll commissioned by RTL/ntv [2] Source: vmi survey and published on ntv.de
The Commission, in the midst of these political and general news, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation. This proposal could potentially offer a new approach to addressing the safety concerns of individuals in various industries, such as healthcare and nuclear power.
Such a directive, if implemented, might serve as a unifying effort for politicians and the public, demonstrating the government's commitment to the wellbeing and safety of its citizens amidst the current scrutiny of the Merz administration's crisis management skills.
