As of September 18, 2026, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's personal approval ratings have hit record lows for any post-World War II chancellor, with his Christian Democratic Union party facing poor electoral prospects in upcoming state elections. Concerns mount that his party could finish second in Berlin.
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Polls in Germany are showing Friedrich Merz's personal popularity at a record low for any post-World War II chancellor. His Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) was trounced by the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a state election earlier this month, and the crisis is set intensify on Sunday when two more states head to the ballots. Bloomberg's Chad Thomas reports from Berlin. (
Polls suggest his party will likely do badly and concerns are rising that it could face falling to second in the capital.