A recent opinion poll indicates a divided public perception of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s crisis management capabilities after his first 100 days in office. The survey, commissioned by broadcasters RTL and ntv and conducted among 1,005 respondents on Monday and Tuesday, reveals that 38 percent of German citizens believe the CDU politician is equipped to effectively guide the nation through current challenges. A majority – 55 percent – express reservations.
Support for Merz’s leadership is most pronounced among supporters of his own party, the CDU/CSU, with 72 percent expressing confidence in his crisis management skills. Among supporters of the SPD, 54 percent share this view and 45 percent of Green party supporters agree. However, skepticism is significantly higher among AfD voters, with only 7 percent believing in Merz’s leadership and 91 percent expressing doubt.
The poll also assessed perceptions of political dominance within the governing coalition. A majority of respondents (50 percent) identify the CDU/CSU as the leading force within the coalition, compared to 27 percent who attribute this role to the SPD. This perception is particularly strong among supporters of the Green party (72 percent) and the Left party (65 percent), as well as CDU/CSU voters (63 percent). While SPD voters are more likely to see their own party in a dominant position (34 percent), AfD voters are inclined to believe the SPD holds more influence (47 percent).
