Survey Reveals Preferred Initial Wealth for Merz - Proposal Requested for Directive on Commission's Suggestion
## Assessment of Friedrich Merz's Chancellorship: A Mixed Response from the German Public
In the heart of 2025, Friedrich Merz, the incumbent Chancellor of Germany and the leader of the CDU, finds himself in a relatively favourable position among voters, with 32% expressing their preference for him compared to other key political figures [3]. This promising outlook, however, is just months before the country's next federal election, suggesting that Merz's popularity may be somewhat relative to his political rivals [3].
Merz has made a point of maintaining an optimistic tone in public discourse, acknowledging the lingering concerns of the public about the future yet emphasising improvements in the national mood and the importance of faith in Germany's prospects [1]. He has highlighted defence spending increases and NATO commitments as significant achievements, while also addressing domestic political adversaries, particularly the far-right [1].
### Policy Achievements and Challenges
Merz's government has prioritised a substantial increase in defence spending, positioning it as crucial to Germany's NATO obligations [1]. Internationally, he has sought to strengthen defence cooperation with France and Britain, including a notable shift in Germany’s stance on civil nuclear energy – a policy that had previously strained Franco-German relations [2]. However, substantial differences persist, particularly on EU fiscal rules and the future of Next Generation EU funding, where Germany under Merz resists French-led initiatives for greater fiscal flexibility [2].
Economically, Merz's administration has faced criticism for a lack of tangible progress in revitalising Germany's sluggish economy [2]. Despite proposing unprecedented spending and debt levels to stimulate growth, economic improvements remain elusive. The departure of Britain from the EU is seen as a negative for Europe’s economic development, and Merz has supported deepening bilateral ties with the UK in areas such as climate, infrastructure, and energy [2].
Merz has taken a firm stance against EU-wide corporate tax increases to finance the bloc’s budget, signalling German resistance to such plans [5]. On the global stage, he has argued that the OECD’s Pillar Two global minimum tax deal is not viable without U.S. participation, casting doubt on its future [4].
### Public Perception
A survey conducted by YouGov, interviewing 2,192 eligible voters between July 11 and 14, indicates that 31% of Germans believe that the Union will be ahead of the AfD in the polls at the end of Friedrich Merz's term [1]. However, another 26% expect the AfD to be at the top, and 26% predict that the Union and AfD will be roughly equal [1]. The survey did not specify the timeframe for Merz's term.
The survey also revealed that 32% of eligible voters believe that Germany has changed for the worse since Merz took office, while 22% perceive an improvement, and 37% see no change [1]. Furthermore, only 17% agree that this is one of the best federal governments of recent decades [1].
The electricity tax reduction, initially only applying to certain companies, agriculture, and not private households, is found to be understandable by only 23% of Germans, while 69% find it rather ununderstandable [2].
As Merz enters the summer break, the public's response towards his chancellorship is mixed. Merz's leadership is characterised by a clear focus on defence, a pragmatic but cautious approach to EU integration, and a willingness to break from previous German policy positions on nuclear energy to improve relations with France [1][2]. However, his domestic economic record remains under scrutiny, with significant segments of the electorate still seeking more substantial economic results [2][3].
In summary, Merz is viewed as a capable and assertive international leader, but his domestic economic record remains under scrutiny. Public opinion appears cautiously supportive, though not overwhelmingly so, with significant segments of the electorate still looking for more substantial economic results [2][3].
- The policy of increased defence spending, a key achievement of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration, has been instrumental in strengthening defence cooperation with France and Britain, yet whether this will help in revitalizing the sluggish economy remains to be seen.
- As the general news unfolds, the popularity of Chancellor Merz is influenced by not only his policy-and-legislation achievements but also the general perception of his economic performance, with the public expressing concern about the lack of tangible progress and questioning the feasibility of certain policies, such as the electricity tax reduction exempting private households.
