German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s approval rating has reached its lowest point, according to a new poll released Saturday. Nearly two out of three Germans are now dissatisfied with their chancellor, up 20 points from 45% in early June. The poll, conducted by INSA, indicates that the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) continues to outperform the ruling coalition between the center-right CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats. The bloc remains stagnant at 25%, while the right-wing opposition party holds firm at 26%, making it the strongest political force in the country.
The survey also shows Chancellor Merz’s coalition partners struggling, with the Social Democrats, Greens, and The Left all lagging in support. Smaller parties such as the Free Democrats and Sahra Wagenknecht’s BSW remain below the threshold needed to enter parliament. Merz, who took office in May, has pledged to revive Germany’s sluggish economy, strengthen the military, and secure continued support for Ukraine while also pushing for sweeping cuts to the welfare system.
A recent study by the insurer R+V Versicherung suggested that his campaign promises are increasingly out of step with public concerns. Germans cited the rising cost of living, immigrant and refugee-related issues, high taxes, and potential cuts in social benefits as their top worries. The poll highlights a growing discontent with the government’s economic policies and its handling of social issues, which may have significant implications for the political landscape in Germany.