A recent survey by the Infratest institute, conducted for the ARD’s “Deutschlandtrend” program, has shown that the Union could potentially gain in popularity, while a majority of Germans remain dissatisfied with the work of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CDU leader.
According to the survey, if a federal election were held on Sunday, the CDU/CSU would receive 29 percent of the vote, a two-point increase from May. The AfD would remain at 23 percent, the SPD at 15 percent and the Greens at 12 percent, a one-point increase. The Left would receive 9 percent, a one-point decrease and the BSW and FDP would both remain below the five-percent threshold with 4 percent each. All other parties would collectively garner 4 percent, a one-point decrease.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has seen a gain in trust among voters, with 39 percent of respondents expressing satisfaction with his work, a 14-point increase from April. However, a majority, 56 percent, remain dissatisfied with his performance.
The survey also found that a majority of Germans have confidence in Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, with 61 percent expressing satisfaction, a one-point increase from April. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, the SPD leader, received a satisfaction rating of 39 percent, a four-point increase, while 40 percent of respondents are dissatisfied with his work.
The survey also showed that a third of respondents are satisfied with the work of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, a 13-point increase from 2018, while 47 percent are dissatisfied. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul received a satisfaction rating of 30 percent, with 25 percent dissatisfied and nearly half, 45 percent, unaware of or unopinionated about him.
The survey also found that a quarter of respondents are satisfied with AfD faction leader Alice Weidel, while two-thirds are dissatisfied. A sixth of respondents are satisfied with Left faction leader Heidi Reichinnek, a five-point increase, while nearly three-fifths are dissatisfied and a majority, 55 percent, are unaware of or unopinionated about her. The survey also found that a twelfth of respondents are satisfied with Green faction leader Katharina Dröge, while a quarter are dissatisfied and a majority, 62 percent, are unaware of or unopinionated about her.
One month after the start of the new government, 40 percent of respondents are satisfied with its work, while half are dissatisfied. A majority, 55 percent, believe the government can strengthen the German economy, a one-point increase and 52 percent believe it can better represent German interests in the world, a one-point increase. However, a majority, 49 percent, do not believe the government can make life in Germany safer, a four-point decrease and a majority, 51 percent, do not believe it can effectively limit and control irregular migration, a four-point decrease.