A persistent lack of momentum continues to plague Germany’s governing coalition as the new year begins, according to a fresh Forsa poll commissioned by RTL and n-tv. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) maintains a commanding lead, holding steady at 26% and defying expectations of a post-holiday shift in public sentiment. The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) remains in second place, unchanged at 24%, but trailing the AfD by a significant margin.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) continues to grapple with historically low support, firmly anchored at 13%, mirroring the standing of the Green Party. The Left party (Die Linke) registers 11%, while the newly formed BSW (Better Future for Germany) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) both hover around 3%, with a remainder of parties collectively capturing 7%. These figures underscore a deeply fragmented political landscape, with traditional power structures appearing increasingly fragile.
Public assessment of Chancellor Friedrich Merz remains overwhelmingly negative, a trend exacerbated at the year’s outset. Satisfaction with his performance has declined further, now sitting at just 23% – a two-percentage-point drop from previous measurements – while a concerning 75% express dissatisfaction. This represents a deepening of the already critical public perception and places Merz perilously close to the all-time low recorded in November 2025.
Merz has recently emphasized the precarious state of Germany’s economy, pledging a renewed focus on economic improvement throughout 2026. However, the poll reveals widespread skepticism regarding his ability to deliver. A substantial 57% of respondents doubt his commitment will translate into tangible results. Only 40% believe Merz will demonstrably prioritize resolving the nation’s economic challenges this year. This disconnect between stated intention and perceived capacity further undermines public confidence in the government’s direction.
The survey, conducted between January 5th and 12th, 2026, polled a representative sample of 3,004 German citizens. The continued stagnation in polling data and the sustained disapproval of the Chancellor raise critical questions about the government’s capacity to regain public trust and navigate the complex economic and political headwinds facing Germany.