According to a survey conducted by the polling institute Infratest, a definite majority of eligible voters harbor a disappointing evaluation a year after the formation of the red-black coalition government. The poll, conducted among 1,303 participants for ARD’s “Deutschlandtrend” from Monday to Wednesday this week, revealed that 86 percent of Germans are unsatisfied with the substantive initiatives the government has undertaken so far. Only 12 percent of respondents reported being satisfied.
Regarding the government’s effectiveness in tackling major national issues, trust levels are noticeably low. Only one in four respondents (24 percent) currently trust the federal government to revitalize the German economy-a decline of 31 percentage points compared to June 2025. Similarly, only 23 percent (down 14 points) believe the government can ensure greater social security. As for containing and managing irregular migration, only one in three respondents (34 percent, down 4 points) currently places their trust in the coalition.
When asked which of the two founding parties had been most successful in the government’s work to date, respondents were divided. Thirty percent felt the Union (CDU/CSU) was the most successful, a good fifth pointed to the SPD (22 percent), and over a third (36 percent) stated that both parties had performed equally well or performed poorly.
Looking ahead, the coalition has announced plans for a major tax reform by January 2027, though the funding mechanism remains unclear. Infratest suggests that a majority (67 percent) currently believes raising income taxes for high earners is the right path, an increase of 2 points since September 2025, while 26 percent think it is incorrect. Furthermore, 54 percent of Germans view the taxation of high inheritances as the correct course of action (+3), whereas 40 percent disagree (-2). Finally, while 38 percent believe scrapping the Solidarity Surcharge is right, a slight majority of 53 percent considers this proposal wrong.