Most Germans apparently do not want former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) as the next Federal President. A Forsa poll for RTL and ntv, conducted on 18-19 February with 1,003 respondents, found that 54 % would find it undesirable if Merkel succeeded Frank Walter Steinmeier, while 35 % would support it.
Only 32 % of participants believe Merkel could drive the economy forward today; 59 % disagree. Just 23 % think she would improve relations with the U.S. president, and 69 % remain skeptical. About 35 % feel her ties with Russian President Putin would improve, but 57 % doubt this as well.
When asked whether the AfD would be as strong today under a chancellor like Merkel, 60 % answered yes, while only 30 % disagreed. Regarding investments in infrastructure, 75 % of respondents blame Merkel for insufficient investment.
Speculation had previously suggested Merkel might run for the Federal President’s office, but she has publicly denied any interest in the post.