Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, faces a daunting task in restoring public trust as his popularity ratings plummet amid concerns over his handling of right-wing extremism and perceived misogyny.
Friedrich Merz, the chancellor-in-waiting for Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has seen his popularity ratings plummet in recent months. Despite winning the national election with his party, Merz‘s personal trustworthiness is a major concern among Germans.
Friedrich Merz is a German politician and lawyer.
Born on November 11, 1955, in Bonn, West Germany, he has been a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 1973.
Merz served as the chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group from 2000 to 2004 and again from 2018 to 2021.
He also held various ministerial positions, including Parliamentary State Secretary for Economic Affairs in the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Merz is known for his conservative policies and has been a vocal critic of the European Union's economic policies.
The Challenges of Leadership
Merz faces two significant hurdles before he can become the next chancellor: securing approval from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and convincing Germans that he has what it takes to lead. However, his approach to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has raised eyebrows among many voters.
In January, Merz broke with tradition by passing a motion through the Bundestag with the support of the AfD, which has been deemed a threat to Germany’s democratic order by intelligence agencies. This move was seen as a U-turn by many CDU supporters, who felt betrayed by Merz‘s sudden willingness to work with an extremist party.
Friedrich Merz, a German politician, has been associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
However, his relationship with the party is complex.
In 2015, Merz was one of the founders of the European Center for Security and Politics, which shares some similarities with AfD's policies.
He has also expressed support for certain aspects of the AfD's platform.
Nevertheless, Merz has distanced himself from the party's more radical elements, citing disagreements over issues like immigration and Islam.
‘The challenges we face today are not just about economics or politics, but also about the values that hold our society together.’
Merz‘s head-through-the-wall attitude on issues like immigration and his perceived misogyny have also contributed to his unpopularity. A recent survey found that only 9% of women between the ages of 18 and 29 saw Merz as their favorite chancellor candidate, highlighting a significant gap in public perception.
The AfD Conundrum
Merz‘s calculation is that the rise of right-wing populism around the world means voters want straight-talking leadership. However, his attempts to capitalize on this trend have backfired. The AfD‘s poll ratings have doubled since Merz took over as CDU leader in January 2022, while the CDU‘s ratings have remained stagnant.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a right-wing populist political party in Germany.
Founded in 2013, the party gained significant support during the European migrant crisis and has since become a major force in German politics.
The AfD's platform focuses on issues such as 'immigration' , 'Euroscepticism' , and 'national sovereignty' .
According to a 2020 survey, the AfD received around 10% of the vote in federal elections, making it the third-largest party in Germany.
To address the AfD issue, experts believe that concrete measures are needed to reassure voters. However, these changes cannot be implemented overnight, and people need to be given confidence again before trust is restored.
A Complex Legacy
Merz‘s business background was initially seen as a strength, but his populist statements on immigration have increasingly been about the issue. This has failed to shake off the AfD connection, which remains a major concern for many voters.
Despite these challenges, some experts believe that Merz might yet be able to make good on his prediction of the AfD‘s growth if his government can run smoothly and avoid external crises. However, this is a big ask, especially given the complexities of German politics and society.
A Way Forward
To address the issues surrounding Merz‘s unpopularity, it is essential to focus on concrete measures that reassure voters. This includes improving the economic forecast and reducing refugee numbers. By giving confidence again, people can be convinced to trust a new government, which will only be possible when the AfD connection is addressed.
Ultimately, Merz‘s popularity ratings are a reflection of the complexities surrounding German politics and society. To restore trust, concrete measures are needed, and voters must be given confidence again before trust is restored.
