Election poll: In eight out of ten points, Germans trust Friedrich Merz more than Olaf Scholz

People in Germany consider the Union’s likely candidate for chancellor, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, to be significantly more competent on the subject of the economy than Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). As “Bild am Sonntag” (which, like WELT, belongs to Axel Springer) reported in advance, citing the opinion research institute Insa, 41 percent consider Merz to be more competent on the subject of the economy, while only 20 percent consider Scholz. Merz is also far ahead of the chancellor on asylum/migration (40:19 percent) and internal security (39:21 percent). Scholz can only score points on the topics of social affairs (work/pensions) and climate/environmental protection. Merz is ahead eight times in ten important policy areas, while Scholz is only ahead twice.

A plus point for the Chancellor: According to the survey, a narrow majority (29:27 percent) find him more likeable than Merz. However, the CDU leader is ahead of Scholz in terms of credibility, general competence and leadership skills.

In the direct election question, 25 percent would vote for Merz and 21 percent for Scholz. A majority of 48 percent will not choose either of them as head of government. Six percent did not give an answer.

Union with best result in three and a half years

Not only Friedrich Merz can be pleased with brilliant poll ratings, but also his party. According to the same survey, the Union is as popular with voters as it was three years ago, and is unchallenged in first place with 33 percentage points. The second strongest force is the AfD with 19 percent, the SPD loses one percentage point and is at 14 percent. The Greens are therefore unchanged at ten percent, the FDP at four percent. With a combined 28 percent, the three governing parties have achieved the best result since taking office in December 2021.