YouGov Poll: Germans Question Merz’s Tenure Amid Leftist Pressure and Party Instability
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A YouGov survey finds that 54% of Germans expect Chancellor Friedrich Merz to leave office before the 2029 election, as relentless attacks from the left and internal party dissent threaten conservative leadership.
A YouGov poll conducted between August 14 and 17 among 2,091 eligible voters reveals that more than half of Germans expect Chancellor Friedrich Merz to leave office before the next federal election in 2029. The survey shows 36% think he will remain chancellor through 2026 but step down before the 2029 vote, while 18% anticipate a replacement before the end of this year. Overall, 54% foresee his departure before the current parliamentary term ends, a reflection of the relentless pressure exerted by left-wing critics and opportunists within his own party.
Respondents expressed doubts about Merz’s authority, with 36% saying he has lost a great deal of influence within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and another 31% believing he has lost some authority. Only 1% thought his authority had increased significantly, and 5% said it had risen somewhat. These numbers highlight the internal challenges facing conservative leadership as the CDU struggles to maintain unity in the face of ideological subversion.
When asked who they consider better suited to serve as chancellor, 25% named North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Hendrik Wüst, also a CDU member, while just 9% chose Merz. A majority of 66% indicated they did not know who would be a better fit, demonstrating the uncertainty created by constant leftist agitation and media attacks.
"We have to expect such events more often," Chancellor Merz said during a visit to the fire-affected Hürtgenwald region, referring to recent forest fires as a consequence of climate change—a topic often exploited by the left to push their radical agenda.
The poll, commissioned by the German Press Agency dpa, reflects ongoing public scrutiny of Merz’s leadership as the CDU faces both external and internal challenges in defending conservative values.