Record Low Satisfaction with Chancellor Merz and Federal Government Revealed by New Survey

Recent findings from a Forsa survey reveal an unprecedented level of public dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the German federal government. Only 13% of citizens expressed satisfaction with Merz's leadership, while a vast 85% were dissatisfied. Overall satisfaction with the government dipped to just 11%, with 87% voicing dissatisfaction.

The discontent is especially pronounced among young people aged 18 to 29 and among workers and self-employed individuals, both groups registering 95% dissatisfaction rates. Dissatisfaction also spans party lines, affecting 56% of Union supporters and 82% of SPD supporters. Concerns persist across major policy areas, including the economy, inflation, pensions, and healthcare, with 89% criticizing the government's handling of these issues.

Only 11% of respondents believe the current CDU/CSU and SPD coalition governs better than the previous SPD-Green-FDP coalition, and a mere 17% view Merz as a better chancellor than his predecessor, Olaf Scholz. Thorsten Frei, the chief of the chancellery, acknowledged this widespread dissatisfaction, noting that although progress has been made, the lack of sustainable economic growth fuels public discontent. He stressed the coalition must work better together to improve results.

This pessimistic public mood contrasts with initiatives such as North Rhine-Westphalia's announced state modernization plan aimed at reducing bureaucracy and improving government efficiency. While NRW's government pledges to cut unnecessary paperwork and simplify communication between citizens, concerns remain at the federal level regarding economic and social policies.

The survey underscores the urgent challenges facing Chancellor Merz’s administration in regaining public trust and delivering on policy promises amid widespread critique spanning demographic and political groups.