A recent ZDF Politbarometer survey reveals that 65% of Germans rate the work of Chancellor Friedrich Merz as poor [1].
These findings emerge as the administration attempts to stabilize its public image following the introduction of a reform package this July. The level of dissatisfaction serves as a critical metric for whether the government can regain public sympathy and legislative momentum.
According to the survey data collected in mid-April 2026, only 30% of respondents view the chancellor's performance positively [2]. The data indicates that the proportion of dissatisfied citizens has been rising since autumn 2025, eventually reaching a peak in April 2026 [3].
The nationwide poll highlights a significant gap between the government's policy goals and public perception. While the administration has focused on structural reforms, the numbers suggest those efforts have not yet translated into broad approval across the German electorate.
This trend of declining support reflects a growing challenge for Merz as he navigates the political landscape. The peak in dissatisfaction recorded in April suggests that the public's frustration reached a critical point before the current month's reform efforts were implemented.
“65% of respondents rate the work of Chancellor Merz as poor”
The data suggests a deepening crisis of confidence in the chancellery. With dissatisfaction reaching a record high in April 2026, the success of the July reform package is no longer just a policy goal but a political necessity for Friedrich Merz to avoid a prolonged period of low approval and potential instability within his coalition.
