Germany's far-right AfD benefits from discontent with Merz

"After one year in office, the Chancellor has been forced to admit that a country like Germany cannot be steered in a new direction within just a few months. His centrist coalition is prone to conflict and the arduous search for compromises has slowed it down more than expected. The economy is failing to gain momentum. Throughout the country, disappointment with the government's performance is palpable."

"Overall, 86% of respondents in the latest ARD-Deutschlandtrend survey by pollster infratest dimap say they are dissatisfied with the government. The pollster conducted a representative survey of 1,303 eligible German voters between May 4 and May 6, 2026. This level of dissatisfaction marks a record: Never before in the history of the “Deutschlandtrend” which has been conducted every month since 1997 has a federal government been rated so negatively after one year in office."

"Only 44% of respondents believe that Merz's government should remain in office until the next general election scheduled for 2029. But what would happen if early fresh elections were held? According to the Deutschlandtrend poll, the ruling coalition would lose its majority. For the first time, there is a clear majority in support of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) a party of which several regional chapters are classified as right-wing."

Chancellor Friedrich Merz and a coalition of CDU, CSU, and SPD took office on May 6, 2025 with economic recovery as the top priority. Promises of rapid progress and major autumn reforms did not translate into visible change within a year. The coalition has faced frequent conflicts and slow compromise-making, and the economy has not gained momentum. Disappointment with government performance is widespread across the country. A Deutschlandtrend survey by infratest dimap found 86% of respondents dissatisfied, the highest rating ever recorded after one year in office. Only 44% support keeping the government until the 2029 election. If early elections occurred, the ruling coalition would lose its majority, and AfD would gain a clear majority of support.

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