German Chancellor Merz Faces Possible Resignation Amid Party's Record-Low Ratings
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party faces two critical state elections expected to bring heavy losses, prompting private discussions within the party about replacing him. His personal approval has fallen to just 14%.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz could face pressure to resign as early as this weekend, only 16 months after taking office, according to Politico, as reported by Yevropeiska Pravda.
Two key state elections are set for Sunday, September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) risks suffering painful defeats in both. Senior party officials are privately discussing whether Germany needs a change of chancellor to halt the government's rapidly declining support.
Ratings keep falling
Merz's national approval rating dropped to just 14% this week. A new poll shows his conservative party alliance, the CDU/CSU, has fallen to an unprecedented low of just 18%. The same poll shows the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leading with 29% support. AfD also recently took first place in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, nearly winning an absolute majority, while Merz's CDU lost more than half its voter support there.
The outlet notes that European and international allies are watching with surprise as Germany — once a bastion of stability during Angela Merkel's 16-year tenure — potentially faces its second rapid leadership change. Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, saw his governing coalition collapse in November 2024.
The scale of the internal crisis was underscored when Merz cancelled his planned trip to next week's UN General Assembly.
