A recent survey by the ZDF-Politbarometer found that 73% of respondents consider the school funding U-turn, which preceded the billion-euro credit decisions, as a voter deception. This sentiment is also reflected in the assessment of the Chancellor’s performance, as only 37% of respondents now view him as a suitable Chancellor, down from 44% at the beginning of the month. Furthermore, only 45% of respondents expect good work from him, a decrease from 53% at the start of the month.
According to the survey, 71% of respondents expect a black-red government and 68% believe that the CDU/CSU will prevail in the negotiations.
Interestingly, despite the majority viewing the school funding U-turn as deception, 64% of respondents support the abolition of the debt brake for defense spending, while only 32% are opposed. The survey found that opinions on infrastructure spending are more divided, with 50% considering the debt to be excessive, 27% too high, 4% too low and 15% believing it should not be incurred at all.
The survey also found that 77% of respondents do not believe Russian President Vladimir Putin has a genuine interest in a ceasefire. While the percentage of respondents supporting increased military aid to Ukraine has decreased, from 48% to 36%, the majority of respondents still support maintaining the current level of support, with 33% in favor of increasing it and 26% against.
The survey also found that a majority of respondents, 79%, support the introduction of a general duty of service in the military or social sector, which would be similar to the old Wehr- und Zivildienst, but for both men and women.