A recent Forsa survey commissioned by “Der Stern” reveals a mixed public perception of Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD). The poll, conducted between September 4th and 5th and encompassing 1,006 responses collected via telephone, assesses Bas’s qualities following a public disagreement with CDU leader Friedrich Merz over social welfare.
The survey, part of Forsa’s regular “Stern” profile series tracking high-ranking politicians, showed that just under half (46%) of Germans believe Bas communicates clearly. However, the assessment doesn’t consistently reach majority approval across other criteria. Only 26% feel she understands the concerns of ordinary citizens. Approximately 30% ascribe the qualities of competence, trustworthiness and likeability to the Labour Minister, while leadership strength is cited by just 24%.
Notably, support for Bas is considerably stronger among SPD members. A majority (62%) of SPD supporters believe she communicates effectively, with 60% rating her as trustworthy and 58% considering her competent. The poll highlights a nuanced view of the Labour Minister, particularly in light of recent political exchanges.