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Germany: Chancellor Merz faces low approval and coalition tension
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing significant political challenges, including low approval ratings and internal coalition friction. According to a Forsa survey, 78% of Germans believe Merz is performing worse than expected. Furthermore, 54% view his performance as inferior to former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and 71% rank him below Angela Merkel.
Internal tensions have surfaced within the governing coalition following a proposed income tax reform. A letter from the Ministry of Economic Affairs criticized the plan, with State Secretary Thomas Steffen describing it as a “secret inflation-related tax increase.” This dispute has caused unrest between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
Separately, concerns are rising regarding energy security. German gas storage levels were reported at 53.28% as of early September 2026, which is below the European average of 65.39%. Chancellor Merz and Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger have expressed concern over potential supply shortages for the upcoming winter, leading to increased monitoring of storage levels.
Entities
Angela Merkel · CDU · CSU · Friedrich Merz · Germany · Karsten Wildberger · Katherina Reiche · Olaf Scholz
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Economic State Secretary Thomas Steffen criticized the income tax reform as a secret inflation-linked tax increase. www.berlin-live.de · www.news38.de · www.thueringen24.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] 78% of Germans believe Merz is performing worse than expected. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.t-online.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] 71% of citizens view Merz as a worse Chancellor than Angela Merkel. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.t-online.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chancellor Friedrich Merz is seeking regular updates on gas storage levels due to concerns over winter supply. www.n-tv.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] German gas storage levels are at 53.28 percent as of September 3, 2026. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] German gas storage levels are lower than the European average of 65.39 percent. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] A letter from the Ministry of Economic Affairs has caused tension within the governing coalition regarding tax reform. www.berlin-live.de · www.news38.de · www.thueringen24.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] 54% of citizens view Merz as a worse Chancellor than Olaf Scholz. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.t-online.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de