Trend Barometer: Large Majority of German Citizens Dissatisfied with Black-Red Coalition

The situation is even worse for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's (CDU) approval ratings: 85 percent are dissatisfied with his work, and only 14 percent are satisfied. This means the chancellor's personal rating is even more negative than that of the government as a whole.

Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) fares slightly better in terms of satisfaction, at 18 percent, though his work is also rated negatively by 74 percent of those polled. The gap between the two leading politicians of the coalition and the population is therefore substantial.

Reform Package and Legislative Plans

Particularly noteworthy is the dissatisfaction within their own ranks: within the SPD, as many as 72 percent are dissatisfied and only 28 percent are satisfied. Even among supporters of the Social Democrats, the work of their own governing coalition thus meets with clear rejection.

The black-red coalition has been stuck in a polling trough for some time. It is currently working on a whole series of reforms. On Friday, it pushed a savings law for the statutory health insurance funds and the so-called Building Modernization Act with new rules on heating through the Bundestag and Bundesrat.

The Union and SPD have also agreed on a reform package with tax relief for small and medium incomes from 2027, as well as on labor and deregulation. In addition, the recommendations of the Pension Commission are to be implemented in full.

Survey Methodology

With these plans, the coalition apparently wants to regain lost trust. However, given the current deep ratings, it is doubtful whether the announced reforms can turn the mood among the population. The government is under considerable pressure to legitimize itself.

The "Trendbarometer" is based on representative surveys conducted by the opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Deutschland. The survey is considered one of the regular sentiment indicators for the political situation in Germany.

Outlook and Political Reactions

The results are likely to further fuel the debate over the federal government's course. In view of the massive dissatisfaction with both the chancellor and the vice chancellor, calls for a course correction and clearer communication of the government's work are growing louder.

Overall, the poll paints a picture of a coalition that, with its previous projects and communication, has failed to reach the majority of citizens. The next political decisions will show whether the government succeeds in initiating a turnaround in public perception.