Friedrich Merz is currently facing considerable criticism concerning his communication style and the erosion of public trust. According to a Forsa survey commissioned by RTL/ntv, only 22% of German citizens find his statements appropriate. Furthermore, a substantial majority, 73%, feel that Merz should exercise greater care when choosing his words.
These results highlight a significant decline in public perception. In contrast, only 30% were satisfied with his statements as recently as October 2025. The picture is equally grim regarding future trust: a large majority of 82% do not believe that Merz will significantly rebuild public confidence within the year, with only 11% holding that optimistic view.
Overall support for the Chancellor continues to diminish. Notably, even supporters within his own Union party faction are now calling for him to adopt a more cautious approach to communication. The questionnaire for this survey was administered to 1,002 individuals between April 30 and May 4, 2026.
