A slight recovery in public approval is being observed for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU, according to a new Insa poll reported by “Bild am Sonntag”. Currently, 27% of respondents express satisfaction with his performance, a four-point increase from late September. While a majority (62%) remains dissatisfied – a decrease of three points – the previously consistent downward trend appears to have temporarily stalled.
The broader black-red coalition government is also exhibiting a minor rebound in public sentiment, with 28% now voicing approval, five points higher than three weeks prior. However, a significant majority (63%) continues to harbor reservations.
Despite this incremental improvement in satisfaction with individual performance and the government’s work, the shift has not translated to comparable gains for the ruling parties in projected electoral support. The weekly Insa Sonntagstrend, conducted for “Bild am Sonntag”, demonstrates a disconnect between approval of leadership and broader party allegiance. The CDU/CSU, combined, currently polls at 24%, falling short of the AfD, which leads with 26%. The SPD remains at 14%, while the Greens have marginally improved to 12% and the Left (Die Linke) has declined to 11%. The BSW and FDP remain distant at 4% each.
This disconnect highlights a critical challenge for the coalition. As Hermann Binkert, head of the polling institute Insa, noted to “Bild am Sonntag”, “The somewhat increased satisfaction with the federal government does not lead to higher approval of the governing parties.
The data, based on a survey of 1,224 individuals conducted between October 6th and 10th, 2025 and a separate survey of 1,004 individuals performed between October 9th and 10th, underscores a growing chasm between perceptions of leadership efficacy and electorate support for established parties. The continued prevalence of the AfD as the leading party in projected election results, despite the slight improvement in satisfaction with the Chancellor and government, points to a deeper societal discontent that a minor shift in approval ratings may not address. Ultimately, the coalition’s ability to translate this nascent positive sentiment into tangible electoral gains remains questionable.