BREAKING: A striking 70% of Germans express dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his government, according to a recent INSA poll published by Bild on Saturday. With only 21% of those surveyed approving of the ruling coalition, these ratings mark the lowest support for Merz’s administration ever recorded.
The poll surveyed 1,005 respondents and indicates a dramatic decline in Merz’s personal approval rating, now at just 23%. “These are the worst ratings ever recorded for the chancellor and his government,” stated INSA head Hermann Binkert to Bild.
The timing of this poll comes on the heels of the Bundestag’s narrow passage of a contentious pension reform, which has faced backlash from the youth wing of Merz’s Christian Democratic Union. Critics are accusing Merz of failing to fulfill his campaign promises aimed at revitalizing the economy, leading to his plummeting popularity.
Infighting within the coalition has further complicated matters, especially regarding immigration policies and aid to Ukraine. Merz has been advocating for increased militarization, vowing to establish “the strongest conventional army in Europe” in response to what he describes as an escalating threat from Russia.
In a related move, the Bundestag recently approved a much-debated military service law intended to recruit more young soldiers. This legislation ignited protests in Berlin, with activist Ronja Ruh decrying the government’s focus on military spending while basic public services remain underfunded. “An unbelievable amount of money is being spent on the military and armament,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Russia has dismissed NATO countries’ calls for increased militarization as “baseless warmongering,” asserting that it does not intend to launch any attacks unless provoked.
As these developments unfold, the dissatisfaction among the populace raises urgent questions about the future of Merz’s government and its ability to effectively address pressing national issues. Observers and analysts will be closely monitoring the political climate in Germany as the coalition grapples with rising discontent and internal disputes.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation.
