German Chancellor Merz's Popularity Hits New Low in Polls

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's popularity continues to decline, reaching a new personal low in the latest ZDF "Politbarometer" poll for August. Merz scored minus 1.9 on a scale of +5 to -5, a drop from minus 1.5 in late July.

Public dissatisfaction with Merz's work has reached a new high, with 75% of those surveyed expressing unhappiness, while only 20% are satisfied. The poll also reveals significant doubts about Merz's support within his own Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, with 80% of respondents, including 67% of CDU supporters, believing the party does not fully stand behind its leader.

Adding to the political headwinds, the planned pension reform by the black-red coalition faces strong opposition. A vast majority of 75% of respondents are against abolishing the "Rente mit 63" (pension at 63), a policy allowing early retirement. Only 20% support this change.

In broader political standings, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party maintains a significant lead in the latest "Sonntagsfrage" (Sunday question) poll, with 27% of the vote. The CDU/CSU follows at 22%, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) remains at 12%, and the Greens would improve to 14%. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) appears unlikely to re-enter parliament with 4% support.