Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under internal scrutiny as his party, the CDU, faces poor polling and electoral setbacks ahead of critical state votes.
ManyPress
ManyPress Editorial
Key facts
- •The CDU and CSU are polling at 18% to 20% nationally, trailing the AfD.
- •An INSA poll found 78% of the public do not believe Merz is the right person for the chancellorship.
- •The CDU is polling at 7% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and 20% in Berlin.
- •Merz argues that Germany requires stability to manage hybrid warfare and support for Ukraine.
- •The party has called a special meeting for Sunday to address electoral performance and leadership unity.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing mounting internal criticism following the Christian Democrats' (CDU) poor performance in recent state elections. Senior party figures have scheduled a special meeting for Sunday to address these setbacks and attempt to consolidate support for his leadership.
By the numbers
Electoral challenges and party polling
The CDU has struggled significantly in recent state elections, most notably in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) nearly secured an outright majority. Nationally, the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, are currently polling between 18% and 20%, a notable decline from their federal election results last year.
Leadership under scrutiny
Public and internal confidence in Merz has waned, with an INSA poll indicating that a majority of CDU supporters and 78% of the general public doubt his suitability for the role. Despite this, Merz has resisted calls to link his political future to individual state results, emphasizing the need for stability to pursue his reform agenda and address European security challenges. He has also cautioned that there is no clear successor or alternative path for the party.
Upcoming state elections
The party is preparing for two additional state elections on Sunday in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. Current polling shows the CDU at 7% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and tied with the Left Party at 20% in Berlin. Party officials hope the upcoming meeting will help coordinate a response to these votes and demonstrate unity.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Straits Times World, Deutsche Welle Politics.
