German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has seen his approval ratings fall to their lowest levels ahead of his government’s first anniversary in May, according to two surveys released Tuesday, signaling growing public discontent.
In a Forsa poll published by the RTL and NTV broadcasters, the far-right AfD emerged as the most popular party in Germany on around 27% – a solid lead over Merz's conservative CDU/CSU alliance on 22%.
Only 15% of respondents said they were satisfied with the work of the chancellor, while 83% said they were not satisfied.
Merz, nearing a year in office, is struggling to revitalize a sluggish economy and a reform drive has sparked discord between the conservatives and their coalition partner, the centre-left SPD.
The government last week halved its 2026 growth forecast due to the Middle East war energy shock, while vowing to step up reform efforts amid criticism that they are moving too slowly.
