Why Friedrich Merz has been such a flop
Friedrich Merz has become the most unpopular chancellor in postwar German history after just one year in office. His coalition with the Social Democrats has been criticized for continuing the political status quo rather than offering renewal. The rise of the right-populist Alternative for Germany party highlights the challenges Merz faces in regaining voter trust.
- ▪Only 16 percent of Germans are satisfied with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- ▪The Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads the polls by six points, with a quarter of Germans supporting an AfD chancellor.
- ▪Merz's coalition with the Social Democrats was seen as a continuation of the old political establishment.
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Why Friedrich Merz has been such a flop Merkel’s rival has failed spectacularly to reverse her disastrous legacy. i Picture by: Getty dataLayer.push({ event: 'author', author: "Sabine Beppler-Spahl" }) Sabine Beppler-Spahl Germany Correspondent 25th May 2026 i Picture by: Getty Share Topics Politics World Want unlimited, ad-free access? Become a spiked supporter. Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is already a record holder: after just one year in office, he has become the most unpopular chancellor in postwar German history. Only 16 per cent of Germans say they are satisfied with the man who entered office in May 2025 promising renewal and reform.
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