A recent survey indicates a level of dissatisfaction among the German public regarding the performance of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his governing coalition, 100 days into their term. The Insa poll, conducted for “Bild am Sonntag”, reveals that 59% of respondents are dissatisfied with Merz’s performance as Chancellor, while 30% express satisfaction.
Compared to his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, Merz receives comparatively lower approval ratings. Only 26% of those surveyed believe Merz is performing better than Scholz, while 27% perceive his performance as worse. A significant 41% see no discernible difference. In contrast, after 100 days in office in March 2022, a relative majority of 43% expressed satisfaction with Scholz’s performance, versus 41% who were dissatisfied.
The survey also reveals that 60% of respondents are dissatisfied with the overall performance of the current CDU/CSU-SPD coalition government. 27% report satisfaction, with 13% remaining unstated. When directly compared to the previous ‘traffic light’ coalition of SPD, FDP and Greens, 28% view the current coalition as better, while 24% see it as worse. A notable 38% report no clear preference.
Accompanying the satisfaction data, the latest Insa Sunday Trend poll shows the CDU/CSU at 27%, unchanged. The SPD also remains steady at 15%. The AfD continues to poll at 25%, while the Greens are at 11%. Die Linke has decreased by one point to 9%. Both the FDP and the BSW are at 4%, falling short of the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation. Other parties collectively garner 5% of the vote.
The survey on Chancellor and government satisfaction was conducted by Insa between August 7th and 8th, 2025, among 1,004 respondents. The Sunday Trend poll, conducted between August 3rd and 8th, 2025, included 1,204 participants.