ZDF Politbarometer: Large Majority of Germans Reject Federal Government's Reforms

The government's work itself is also predominantly rated negatively. A virtually unchanged majority (68 percent) continues to believe that the federal government is doing its work rather poorly, while only 27 percent rate it as "rather good." At 70 percent, a very large number remain dissatisfied with the Chancellor's work (satisfied: 27 percent).

Assessment of the Government's Work

The cooperation between the coalition partners Union and SPD is also viewed critically by those surveyed. Most respondents (71 percent) believe that the cooperation between the Union and SPD in the federal government is rather poor (rather good: 23 percent). This view is also held by a majority of Union supporters (56 percent) and SPD supporters (61 percent).

Among party supporters, the picture is divided. Only supporters of the Union (66 percent to 25 percent) and the SPD (51 percent to 43 percent) predominantly favor this. FDP supporters are of divided opinion, while those of the AfD, Greens, and Left are predominantly opposed. By contrast, supporters of the AfD, Greens, and Left declared themselves predominantly skeptical according to the survey.

Position of Party Supporters

The health care reform, which secured a parliamentary majority last week, is also meeting with skepticism. Among those surveyed, however, a very clear majority (79 percent) is of the opinion that the measures adopted will not make an important contribution to solving the financial problems in the health care system. Only 17 percent are optimistic about this.

Health Care Reform and Coalition Style

After the major reform package, the contentious issues naturally remained for Friedrich Merz and the coalition, but the style of dispute is changing, says Wulf Schmiese.

In the Politbarometer projection, the AfD is in the lead: If the federal election were really to take place next Sunday, the CDU/CSU would receive only 23 percent (minus one) and the AfD 27 percent (minus one). The SPD would reach twelve percent (minus one), the Greens would come in at 14 percent (plus two). The Left would receive 13 percent (plus two), the FDP four percent (unchanged). All other parties combined would reach seven percent (minus one).

AfD in the Polls and Ahead of State Elections

State elections are scheduled in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in September. The AfD wants to win an absolute majority there. Only 22 percent of all respondents (East: 31 percent) would consider it good if the AfD were to provide the Minister-President in an East German federal state after these elections. 66 percent (East: 57 percent) would not consider that good – eleven percent (East: eleven percent) would not care.

US-Iran Conflict and Economic Concerns

Meanwhile, fighting between the USA and Iran has intensified significantly again. The USA has attacked Iran once more. "Die Absicht ist, Iran weiter unter Druck zu setzen," says ZDF correspondent David Sauer. A very clear majority (86 percent) assumes that this war will cause great or very great damage to the economy in Germany (no great damage: eleven percent). Only twelve percent believe that the military confrontations will calm down again in the near future, while 84 percent do not harbor this hope.

Climate Change and Politician Ranking

On the topic of climate change, there is broad consensus: 71 percent now believe that this hot summer weather is a consequence of climate change, and only 26 percent consider it normal temperature fluctuations. In the likewise relatively hot summer of 2015, opinions on this were still divided among all respondents. Only AfD supporters believe by a clear majority (72 percent to 24 percent) that the high summer temperatures are not a consequence of climate change.

In the Politbarometer's politician ranking, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is in the lead with a grade of 1.5. He is followed by Cem Özdemir with 0.9 (1.0) and Johann Wadephul with 0.1 (0.3). After that, the negative range begins: Heidi Reichinnek with minus 0.7 (minus 0.8), Lars Klingbeil likewise with minus 0.7 (minus 0.4), Bärbel Bas with minus 0.9 (minus 0.7), Markus Söder with minus 1.0 (minus 0.7), Friedrich Merz with minus 1.6 (minus 1.3), and Katherina Reiche with minus 1.8 (minus 1.5). The bottom of the ranking remains Alice Weidel with minus 2.5 (minus 2.4).

Survey Methodology

The Politbarometer survey was conducted, as always, by the Mannheim Research Group Wahlen. For this purpose, 1,284 randomly selected eligible voters were surveyed by telephone and online from July 14 to 16. The interviews were conducted from July 14 to 16, 2026, among 1,284 randomly selected eligible voters by telephone and online. Both landline and mobile numbers were taken into account. The survey is representative of the eligible voting population in Germany. The margin of error is approximately +/- three percentage points for a proportion of 40 percent and approximately +/- two percentage points for a proportion of ten percent. The next Politbarometer will be broadcast by ZDF on Friday, July 31, 2026. (AFP)