German poll finds record-low satisfaction with government and chancellor

Only one in 10 respondents to an ARD Deutschlandtrend survey said they were satisfied with the work of Germany’s federal government and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to the supplied report. The survey was conducted by infratest dimap among 1,303 eligible voters ahead of October 3, the anniversary of German reunification. Satisfaction with Merz was also weak among his own supporters, with only 40% of CDU voters expressing approval.

The poll suggested that the governing CDU/CSU and Social Democratic Party would lose their parliamentary majority if a general election were held immediately. The alliance was placed at 20%, the SPD at 13% and the Alternative for Germany at 27%. The Greens were on 16%, while the Left Party stood at 11%.

The report said the AfD continued to benefit from dissatisfaction with centrist parties. It also noted recent state-election setbacks for the CDU, including a failure to cross the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Political parties’ inability to find common answers was identified as Germans’ biggest source of concern.

Respondents also cited artificial intelligence, US President Donald Trump’s policies, climate change, possible Russian attacks elsewhere in Europe, living standards and immigration. Social-security reform was another major concern. Only one in six respondents believed the government would make the system sustainable.

Three-quarters viewed proposed reforms as contradictory, while 61% said cuts should reflect people’s financial capacity. The survey also found that 75% considered government action on high energy prices insufficient.