The proposal that Thorsten Frei (CDU), the current chief of the Chancellery, take the leadership role of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group has so far received a measured response from the public. According to a current Forsa survey conducted for Stern, RTL, and ntv, 37 percent of respondents deem Frei suitable for the position of parliamentary group leader, while 26 percent find him unsuitable. A further 37 percent stated that they currently have no assessment of his suitability.
Frei, a close associate of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), is positioned to lead the Union faction. His current role as Chief of the Chancellery has positioned him as one of the most crucial organizers of the new government, and his new position is expected to strengthen the cooperation between the faction and the government. Following the unexpected resignation of Spahn, this new appointment is particularly significant for maintaining the stability and cohesion of the Union party.
His support base appears to be concentrated within the governmental coalition parties. Among CDU/CSU supporters, 69 percent view him as a good choice, and this approval rate rises to 53 percent among supporters of the SPD. However, the high percentage of undecided respondents suggests that a large segment of the population has not yet formed a clear opinion of the veteran parliamentarian and former Chief of the Chancellery. The survey thus indicates approval within the governing camp but relatively low recognition in the wider public.
The polling institute Forsa surveyed 1,001 Germans for this finding, which was gathered on July 23rd and 24th, 2026.
