Manfred Güllner, head of the polling institute Forsa, said in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has experienced an unprecedented decline in his approval ratings.
According to the pollster, Merz has made numerous mistakes since taking office, speaks in a way that ordinary people struggle to understand, and relies on advisers who function more as a "cheering squad" than as independent counsellors.
Güllner added that the chancellor has never enjoyed strong support among women, young people, or residents of eastern Germany. He also criticised Merz's 2025 federal election campaign, arguing that coordination with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) proved disastrous.
