Germany News: 48% Believe Merkel More Capable than Merz

Deutsche Welle

Publish : 05 Oct 2026, 09:35 AM

Merz and Merkel are longtime political rivals [FILE: February 20, 2026]. Photo: Getty Images

A new survey from YouGov which was commissioned by German news agency DPA found that 48% of Germans believe former Chancellor Angela Merkel is better suited to tackle Germany's challenges than current Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The poll also found that 29% of Germans believe the two leaders would be equally capable of confronting Germany's problems.

Only 8% viewed Merkel less favorably than Merz; 15% didn't answer the survey or said they didn't know how to respond.

Both Merkel and Merz are members of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, but have long been political rivals.

Merkel served as chancellor for a period of 16 years from 2005 to 2021.

Merz, meanwhile, faces record low approval ratings since becoming chancellor in May last year.

Germany's problems include a stagnant economy, rising energy prices, an aging population with fewer working to support social programs, illegal immigration and foreign policy challenges such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, among other issues.

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