BERLIN — A sweeping majority of Germans are unhappy with their coalition government, as public frustration with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his cabinet deepens halfway through the summer.
An overwhelming 82 percent of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the federal government's work, while 85 percent expressed disapproval of Merz himself. Discontent extends across the coalition: 74 percent are unhappy with Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil. Even the governing parties' own supporters are restless, with 54 percent of CDU/CSU backers and 72 percent of SPD supporters voicing unhappiness. Economic pessimism is widespread, as 67 percent expect conditions to worsen.
The Forsa poll for RTL, conducted July 7–13 among 2,503 respondents, also shows the Alternative for Germany leading voting intention at 26 percent, ahead of the CDU/CSU on 22 percent.