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Why is Chancellor Merz so unpopular — and is it fair?

38:50

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April 24, 2026

Germany’s chancellor tops the wrong rankings: approval is at a record low and the AfD has overtaken the CDU/CSU in some polls. But do polls really capture Friedrich Merz’s performance? In this episode, DW Berlin Bureau chief Maximilian Hofmann speaks with DW Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner, Dr. Roland Abold from polling institute infratest dimap and Berlin-based French journalist Luc André.

Chapters:
Unpopular Chancellor (00:00 – 02:30)

Perception Versus Reality (02:30 – 05:00)

Living Cost Fears (05:00 – 07:30)

How Polls Measure (07:30 – 10:00)

Polling Blind Spots (10:00 – 12:30)

Who Is Responsible (12:30 – 15:00)

Leadership Confidence Gap (15:00 – 17:30)

Economic Promises Tested (17:30 – 20:00)

Reform And Friction (20:00 – 22:30)

Merz and Macron Compared (22:30 – 25:00)

Pocketbook Politics (25:00 – 27:30)

AfD Gaining Momentum (27:30 – 30:00)

Governing Under Pressure (30:00 – 33:00)

Final Judgement (33:00 – 38:42)

 

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