Given the widespread dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), discussions have been occurring for some time regarding potential alternatives from within the Union. However, according to a Forsa poll prepared for RTL and ntv, CSU leader Markus Söder encounters significant skepticism as a possible replacement. Among Germans who are familiar with him, only 26 percent deem Söder suitable for the chancellorship, while 70 percent consider him unsuitable. He is recognized by 95 percent of those surveyed.
Söder also lacks majority support within his own political camp. Among CDU and CSU supporters, 57 percent consider him unfit for the office, while only 41 percent trust him with the role. Even in Bavaria, skepticism predominates, with 59 percent viewing Söder as unfit and 37 percent finding him suitable. (These evaluations are based on respondents who know the politicians.)
Regional Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) achieves decidedly better results regarding suitability for the Chancellorship than Söder. Among Germans familiar with Wüst, 47 percent rate him as suitable, compared to 41 percent who find him unsuitable. Twelve percent remain undecided, as opposed to four percent for Söder. Wüst is recognized by 75 percent of respondents. In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, half of the respondents consider Wüst suitable for the chancellorship, while 42 percent disagree.
Unlike Söder, Wüst garners majority approval among many Union supporters. Fifty-seven percent find him fit for the chancellorship, and approval is even higher among SPD supporters at 58 percent and among Greens at 63 percent. The only group where Wüst performs worse than Söder is among AfD supporters. Only eight percent of AfD supporters consider him suitable, while 87 percent do not trust him with the job. By comparison, Söder is deemed suitable by 28 percent of this group.
“Data basis: 1,002 respondents. Period: October 2 and 5, 2026.”
