Merz in Serious Crisis: Polls at Historic Low, Coalition Tensions Boil Over Amid Talk of Government Collapse

Reflecto News | Breaking News | German Politics

BERLIN — Less than a year after taking office, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is mired in a deep political crisis. His personal approval ratings have collapsed, his coalition is paralyzed by open infighting, and behind-the-scenes discussions about a possible confidence vote—or even the collapse of the government—are increasingly being held.

Merz, who took over from Olaf Scholz in 2025, is facing a political meltdown not seen in post-war Germany.

📉 Polls Crash to Unprecedented Lows

The numbers paint a disastrous picture for the Chancellor and his government.

• Chancellor’s Approval: Only 18% of Germans are satisfied with Merz’s work, while a staggering 80% are dissatisfied.
• Personal Ranking: In the latest INSA Politician Ranking, Merz has fallen to last place (20th) among Germany’s top politicians. With a score of just 2.9 out of 10, even members of his own party rank him fifth.
• Government Performance: Only 27% of the population is satisfied with the government’s work. 63% say the coalition is doing a bad job.
• Voter Flight: The CDU/CSU union has slumped to just 24% in nationwide polls, now trailing the AfD (26%). Most concerning for Merz: 52% of remaining CDU/CSU supporters are unhappy with him.

According to a recent survey, 34% of disillusioned Union voters cite “grandiose announcements without consequences” as the reason for their disappointment. Many voters feel the government is failing to solve the pressing issues of the day, including high energy prices and the economic downturn.

💥 Coalition on the Brink: Open Warfare with Klingbeil

The lousy polling figures are mirrored by chaos within the ruling coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD. Relations between Merz and his Vice Chancellor, SPD chief Lars Klingbeil, have become virtually non-functional.

The “Screaming Match” at Villa Borsig

A recent confidential meeting of coalition leaders reportedly ended in a catastrophic shouting match. According to Spiegel and BILD, when Klingbeil insisted on concessions he believed Merz had previously promised, the Chancellor lost his temper and “screamed” or “exploded” at his deputy.

Witnesses reported that Merz “blew up” during the closed-door session. The confrontation was so severe that negotiations had to be halted so the Chancellor could calm down.

Public Insults and Disloyalty

The crisis has spilt into the public domain. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) and Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) are engaged in a daily public war of words regarding how to handle the energy crisis sparked by the war in Iran.

• Klingbeil’s Campaign: The SPD chief is pushing for a multi-billion euro relief package, including an “excess profit tax” on oil companies, which Reiche has dismissed as “unconstitutional” and “ineffective”.
• Reiche’s Rebellion: Reiche has openly defied the Chancellor by boycotting Klingbeil’s crisis meetings and publicly lambasting her own coalition partner. This has led to an “entfremdung” (estrangement) between Merz and his minister.

The open conflict has led party leader Friedrich Merz to publicly admonish his ministers, warning that public bickering damages the country and must stop immediately.

🏛️ Behind the Scenes: Discussions of a Confidence Vote

With the government paralyzed and polls continuing to slide, insiders confirm that senior party figures are considering drastic measures.

• Loss of Power: The political establishment is in shock; neither the CDU/CSU nor the SPD appear capable of steering the country. The lack of leadership is causing growing panic within both parties.
• Confidence Vote?: According to reports, there are increasing talks behind the scenes about a possible “Vertrauensfrage” (confidence vote) to bring about new elections if the government cannot get its act together.

The next few weeks will be critical. If Merz cannot enforce discipline within his cabinet and find compromises with the SPD to navigate the economic crisis, his chancellorship could be among the shortest in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany.

📋 Key Takeaways

Follow Reflecto News for continuous updates on the crisis in Berlin and its impact on the European Union.

This article is the intellectual property of Reflecto News. Redistribution without attribution is prohibited.