German Government Faces Polling Setbacks Amid Public Dissatisfaction and Controversial Political Decisions

Recent polling reveals significant challenges for Germany's ruling coalition, composed of the conservative CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD). If general elections were held next Sunday, the coalition would garner only 41% of the vote, insufficient for a parliamentary majority. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) declined slightly, losing one percentage point but remaining close to the Union parties. A mere 20% of citizens express satisfaction with the government's performance, marking a two-point drop since November, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's approval rating has decreased to 23%. In contrast, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius enjoys strong public support with a 58% approval rating.

Public skepticism extends internationally and domestically. Two-thirds of Germans doubt a speedy end to the Ukraine conflict, reflecting doubts about US peace proposals. Concerns about the pension system persist, with only 18% rating it positively and just 7% believing in its long-term viability.

Amid these political headwinds, the Bundestag's decision to resume Businessclass travel for official trips exceeding two hours has sparked additional controversy. Critics highlight that Businessclass costs roughly three times more than Economy, spotlighting a disconnect between political elites and citizens facing financial strains from rising energy costs. While officials justify the choice as enhancing efficiency during sensitive work in transit, the move feeds public dissatisfaction and perceptions of political insensitivity.

This environment of governmental unease is compounded by earlier scrutiny over pandemic policies, which revealed that strict measures were imposed without sufficient data, and judicial oversight was lacking. The combination of waning political support, skepticism toward government decisions, and contentious policy choices signifies a challenging period ahead for the German government and its coalition partners.