Chancellor Friedrich Merz has tried to improve his domestic standing by taking a strong stance against President Trump, yet his efforts haven’t gained much traction. His approval ratings are the lowest in Germany and among major European leaders.
A year has passed since the German government began, with a coalition agreement signed on April 5, 2025, and the government officially starting the following day. This so-called “grand coalition” of traditional left- and right-wing parties hasn’t enjoyed high approval ratings. Unfortunately for Merz, his unpopularity surpasses even the usual low marks for such coalitions, now hitting unprecedented lows.
According to a report from Nippon Television, only 10% of Germans express satisfaction with the government’s performance as they mark the coalition’s first anniversary. A staggering 87% are dissatisfied. This discontent isn’t restricted to opposition party supporters; even voters from the ruling center-left Social Democratic Party and center-right Christian Democratic Party are critical, with significant majorities showing unhappiness.
Looking ahead, the future seems grim, as just one in ten Germans anticipate turnaround under Merz’s leadership. The situation is so dire that a prominent German tabloid has suggested there are emerging rifts within the government, hinting at possible early elections.
These feelings are echoed in broader European polling, which indicates that Merz’s approval ratings have dropped steadily, and he now sits at the bottom of the European leadership rankings. YouGov reports that Merz’s rating in Germany has plummeted to -52, now trailing only behind French President Emmanuel Macron, who stands at -49.
Both Merz and Macron are clustered at the bottom, while Britain’s Sir Keir Starmer follows at -44. On the other hand, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, a social democrat, stands out as the most popular leader among major European nations, having successfully combined strict border policies with progressive social programs.
Merz’s recent rating decline comes despite his attempts to challenge U.S. President Trump over the situation in Iran, suggesting that Tehran has “humiliated” the U.S. Trump responded by advising Germans to focus more on their own issues instead of global affairs, warning that the U.S. might reconsider its troop presence in what it perceives as an unreliable NATO ally.
Eventually, Merz had to soften his stance, reaffirming that the U.S. “is and remains Germany’s most important partner in the North Atlantic Alliance.”
