A recent survey for the German magazine “Stern” found that not even one percent of Germans consider Olaf Scholz (SPD) the most significant chancellor in post-war history, a status he shares with Kurt Georg Kiesinger (CDU).
The list of the most significant chancellors in German history, according to the survey, is led by Helmut Schmidt (SPD) with 26 percent, followed by Angela Merkel (CDU) with 20 percent and Konrad Adenauer (CDU) with 17 percent. Helmut Kohl (CDU) and Willy Brandt (SPD) both received 14 percent of the vote, while Gerhard Schröder (SPD) was considered the most significant by only three percent of respondents and Ludwig Erhard (CDU) by two percent. Two percent of those surveyed did not express an opinion.
Helmut Schmidt’s high ratings were particularly notable among SPD supporters (42 percent) and in western Germany (27 percent). In eastern Germany, Angela Merkel led with 23 percent, just ahead of Helmut Kohl and Helmut Schmidt (both at 20 percent). Among CDU/CSU voters, the first chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, was named the most significant by 25 percent.
Personal experiences seem to shape the perception of chancellors. Angela Merkel, who served from 2005 to 2021, was most frequently named as the most significant by those under 30 and under 45 (38 and 27 percent, respectively). Helmut Schmidt, who served from 1974 to 1983, was best remembered by the over-60 age group, with 38 percent of those surveyed considering him the most significant chancellor.