The government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz has begun its term with very low popularity among the German population. A survey shows that Germans are significantly less satisfied with the new government under Merz than they were with its predecessors.
This is according to data from a poll conducted by the INSA institute for Bild.
According to the poll, less than a quarter of all respondents (23%) are currently satisfied with the performance of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
By comparison, former Chancellor Olaf Scholz was significantly more popular just two days after being elected on December 10, 2021. At that time, 37% of respondents were satisfied with Scholz’s performance—14% more than Merz currently enjoys. The situation doesn’t look much better for the entire government: nearly half of all respondents are dissatisfied with the new black-red coalition, while only 29% are satisfied. Scholz’s government had a higher approval rating.
INSA Chairman Hermann Binkert, commenting on the current government’s ratings, said that “people do not believe in its capabilities.”
“But this could be an opportunity for Merz. If there are noticeable improvements in areas like migration and the economy, the approval ratings could rise. Mere statements are not enough,” he added.
Another recent survey showed that nearly 60% are not very satisfied with Friedrich Merz’s election as chancellor.
