Merz and company have a problem

Friedrich Merz's ratings dropped compared to the beginning of September, when 13 percent assessed his work positively. respondents. The current result is the lowest not only during his term in office, but also among all chancellors assessed in Deutschlandtrend polls for almost 30 years.

The study published on Thursday also brings unfavorable results for Merz's party. If the Bundestag elections were held at the turn of September and October, the Christian Democratic bloc CDU/CSU could count on 20 percent. votes, by 1 percentage point less than at the beginning of September.

The right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) would enjoy the greatest support, with 27% of voters wanting to vote for it. respondents. The group's result did not change during the month.

The Greens would get 16 percent, and the SPD, which co-governs with the Christian Democrats, 13 percent. 11% would vote for the Left. subjects. Liberal FDP with a result of 4%. would not exceed the five percent electoral threshold.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius from the SPD is rated much better than the chancellor. 50% of people are satisfied or very satisfied with his work. subjects. The head of German diplomacy, Johann Wadephul from the CDU, is viewed positively by 34 percent. respondents, and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt from the CSU - 27 percent. Every fifth respondent is satisfied with the work of the Minister of Finance and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, and about every sixth of the Minister of Labor Baerbel Bas. They both represent SPD.

At the end of September, the survey was conducted by telephone and online by the Infratest dimap institute on a representative sample of 1,303 people entitled to vote.

On September 6, the AfD decisively won the elections in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, obtaining 43.8 percent in this eastern German state. votes at 17.2 percent CDU. Two weeks later, on September 20, the AfD also won in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where it received 38.2 percent, while the CDU obtained only 4.9 percent. votes and for the first time in its history it did not exceed the electoral threshold in the elections to the federal parliament.

The CDU's disappointing results have intensified the debate in Germany over whether Merz should remain as chancellor and leader of the Christian Democrats.