Survey: Berliners blame Friedrich Merz for CDU election results

A majority of Berliners blame Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the CDU's performance in the election to the Berlin House of Representatives. This emerges from a post-election survey by the Insa Institute, reported by the Berlin “B.Z.” reports (like WELT, belongs to Axel Springer). Accordingly, 70.8 percent of those surveyed see Merz as the main person responsible for the party's election results.

When asked about forming a future government, a relative majority of 41 percent are in favor of an alliance of the Left, the SPD and the Greens. However, only 31 percent of those surveyed voted for a so-called Kenya coalition made up of the CDU, SPD and the Greens. At the same time, 52 percent of Berliners expect a red-green-red state government.

The Left emerged from the election as the strongest force and is currently holding exploratory talks with the SPD and the Greens. “In the coming week we will bring the current discussions to a conclusion,” they said unanimously. It remains unclear whether the parties will enter into exploratory talks about forming a government in Berlin.

Respondents named housing, old-age security and social issues as the most important topics of the election. Depending on party preference, the priorities differed significantly. While SPD voters described old-age security as crucial to their election, Green supporters focused on climate issues. AfD voters mentioned migration most often, CDU voters mentioned the economy and FDP supporters mentioned education. Voters from the Left and BSW saw the issue of housing as crucial.