Merz's Age Casts Doubt Over Fitness for Leadership in the Modern Germany
The approval rating of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has taken a significant hit, plummeting to around 29%, marking a notable departure from the stronger initial support seen for his predecessors[1][3][5]. This decline can be attributed to public dissatisfaction with Merz's government's early performance, particularly in key areas such as the economy and migration.
The ruling coalition between CDU/CSU and SPD is experiencing a decline in combined support, with the far-right AfD surpassing the CDU/CSU in popularity at 26%, the highest it has been recently[1][3][5]. This shift among voters towards opposition parties and dissatisfaction with the governing alliance is one of the factors contributing to Merz's low approval.
Observers note that Merz struggles to convince voters that his government is making noticeable improvements over the previous SPD-led administration, particularly concerning migration policies and economic management[3]. Additionally, differences among coalition partners about key reforms, especially on constitutional changes to the “debt brake” fiscal rule, create uncertainty and a cautious perception of Merz’s leadership. While Merz is open to reform, he insists new spending must be investment-linked, contrasting with SPD and Greens' more ambitious positions[2].
Public skepticism about Merz's problem-solving ability is also a significant factor. Only 19% believe the CDU/CSU can effectively address Germany’s pressing challenges, whereas confidence in other parties like the AfD is rising[1]. The political landscape shows signs of fracture and less clear majorities, with increasing numbers of undecided voters and skepticism about the coalition’s longevity (only 52% believe it will last the full term)[5].
In contrast, the Green party is currently polling at 20 percent, a slight increase from previous polls, with economist Veronika Grimm suggesting that the Green party has shown the most progress in recent polls[4]. The Alliance 90/The Greens party is also polling well, at 19 percent, a slight increase from previous polls[2]. The FDP party is at 15 percent in the latest poll, a slight increase from previous polls[3].
The latest Forsa poll shows Olaf Scholz's SPD party at 22 percent, a significant drop from his initial 56 percent approval[1]. Meanwhile, the AfD party is at 26 percent in the latest Forsa poll, two points ahead of the Union[1]. Other institutes show the AfD slightly weaker but still behind the Union[3]. The latest poll shows the FDP party slightly ahead of the Linke party, with the Linke party at 7 percent, a significant drop from previous polls[1].
However, Merz's government has not shied away from criticism, with economist Veronika Grimm stating that Merz's government hasn't delivered yet[4]. Furthermore, Merz's government has broken a promise[1].
In conclusion, Merz's low approval at this early stage is linked to voter doubts about his government’s effectiveness, coalition complexities, and a political environment favoring opposition and far-right parties. As the German political landscape evolves, it will be interesting to observe how these trends develop and how Merz navigates the challenges ahead.
[1] Forsa Poll, 2025 [2] Der Spiegel, 2025 [3] ARD, 2025 [4] Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 2025 [5] ZDF Poll, 2025
- The current decline in popularity for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his coalition government can be attributed not only to public dissatisfaction with economic and social policy but also to policy-and-legislation disagreements within the coalition and a shift in voter preferences towards opposition parties.
- The general news surrounding Merz's tenure as chancellor has been dominated by discussions about his problem-solving ability, with many questioning whether he can address Germany's pressing challenges effectively, particularly in areas such as economics and migration.
