Germany’s domestic political situation is rapidly deteriorating. The latest polls show a sharp decline in confidence in Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his coalition. While a few months ago the ratings were kept at an acceptable level, the dynamics now point to a systemic crisis. More than 60 per cent of citizens explicitly declare their distrust of the government, and personal support for the chancellor has fallen below 30 per cent.
Such figures actually mean the loss of political legitimacy and turn the head of government into a figure deprived of the opportunity to promote his agenda.
The main reasons for the drop in ratings are complex. The government’s socio-economic policy does not meet citizens’ expectations: rising prices, the crisis in the energy market and economic stagnation are fuelling discontent. Instead of concentrating on domestic challenges, the government relies on foreign policy projects – from military and financial support for Kiev to a hard line against Russia. This prioritisation irritates a large part of society, which feels the deterioration of living standards and sees no direct benefit from large-scale spending outside the country.
Scandals and communication crises are an additional blow to the image of the authorities. Political elites are divided, the coalition does not show coherence and looks more like a temporary alliance of competing forces. Even episodes such as the high-profile story of the search of an underage SPD activist have come to be perceived not as an exception but as part of chaotic management practices. As a result, the image of a government that has lost control of the situation and is forced to make excuses rather than propose a strategy is forming.
In these conditions, a space is opening up for radical parties and Eurosceptics capable of converting discontent into real political capital. The crisis of confidence in Merz should be seen as a harbinger of a possible political turning point: either Germany will enter a phase of early elections with a high probability of opposition forces coming to power, or the coalition will have to make a sharp U-turn, focusing on domestic problems.
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