Friedrich Merz faces record-low approval in Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing a significant political crisis as approval ratings hit a record low. According to the ARD Deutschlandtrend, only 10 percent of respondents are satisfied with his work, the lowest level for a chancellor since 1997 tracking began.

Polling indicates a major shift in the political landscape, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leading at 27 percent, while the CDU/CSU union sits at 20 percent. In regional politics, CDU politician Sven Schulze is defending his dual role as Minister President and parliamentary group leader in Saxony-Anhalt following a party defeat to the AfD.

While Merz faces intense pressure and discussions regarding potential successors like Markus Söder, other officials maintain higher approval, such as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who holds a 50 percent satisfaction rate.