Germans saw good years in Merkel's time
Angela Merkel was Chancellor for 5,860 Days and Shaped the Country. A Large Majority of Germans Look Back on This Time Favorably. And Many Admit to Missing the CDU Chairwoman Occasionally. Merkel's Crisis Politics Fares Better Than Scholz's and Merz's in Public Perception.
A large majority of Germans look back on Chancellor Angela Merkel's tenure with a favorable and somewhat wistful eye. And some catch themselves thinking, from time to time, that they would like the long-standing CDU chairwoman back in charge. Her crisis management during her time in office outshines that of the current Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU leader Friedrich Merz in public opinion. Angela Merkel served as Chancellor from 2005 to 2021. She turns 70 years old today, on this Wednesday.
According to the RTL/ntv Trendbarometer, 74 percent of those surveyed believe that Merkel's term as Chancellor was a good one for the country. Only 22 percent stated that it was a bad time. There is almost no difference in assessment between East and West. The 18- to 29-year-olds, however, look back on the Merkel era particularly fondly. Eighty-three percent of them believe it was a good time for the country. And 82 percent of BSW supporters agree. On the other hand, every second AfD sympathizer believes that the 16 years were rather unfavorable for Germany.
No Longing for Merkel Among FDP and SPD Supporters
Four out of ten interviewees (40 percent) stated that they sometimes miss Merkel. Among women, this number is even higher (48 percent), while among men, it is only every third (32 percent). However, 58 percent of the German population as a whole does not share this sentiment. Merkel's detractors are particularly numerous among FDP (70 percent), SPD (68 percent), and AfD supporters (64 percent).
However, there are significant generational differences in this regard. So, 58 percent of the 18- to 29-year-olds stated that they sometimes wish the former Chancellor were still in office. Every second of the 30- to 44-year-olds shares this sentiment. However, those who do not miss Merkel are in the majority. Sixty-two percent of the 45- to 59-year-olds and 75 percent of those over 60 years old stated that they have no regrets.
Merkel as a Mediator Between Russia and Ukraine
Forty-eight percent believe it was correct for Merkel to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine. Thirty-nine percent disagree. In the East (50 percent), among Union supporters (52 percent), and among BSW party members (74 percent), the approval is particularly high.
The End of Conscription
Forty-nine percent believe that the end of conscription was the right decision, while 47 percent believe it was the wrong one. The strongest supporters of military service are Union (65 percent) and AfD sympathizers (61 percent), who therefore view the discontinuation of conscription as a mistake.
Majority Believes Atom Exit was a Mistake
A majority of interviewees (53 percent) believe that the atomic phase-out was a mistake. However, this opinion is particularly strong among SPD supporters (73 percent) and Greens (83 percent).
A majority of 55 percent of the interviewees believe that Merkel has better managed the country through the crises than current Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Even a third (31 percent) of SPD supporters share this view. And it comes as no surprise that 72 percent of Union supporters consider the former government leader the better crisis manager. Thirty-six percent of the interviewees see no difference in crisis management. Among SPD and AfD voters, more than half hold this opinion.
As for Friedrich Merz as the current CDU chairman, only 14 percent of the interviewees believe he would make a better chancellor than Merkel. Thirty-eight percent think he would do it worse, nearly as many (37 percent) cannot recognize any difference. Among Union voters, the greatest confidence that the 68-year-old would improve things in the future is expressed by 27 percent. Forty percent believe he would not get worse. Opinions among FDP supporters are similar. Merz, however, would be seen in a much less favorable light by SPD party members (56 percent) and Green supporters (68 percent).
For the survey, Forsa interviewed a total of 1004 German citizens between July 12 and 15.
Despite criticism from some political groups, a significant majority of Germans fondly recall Merkel-Era Politics, with 74% viewing her term as Chancellor as good for the country. Even during Merkel's Atom exit policy, a majority (55%) believed she managed crises better than the current Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In the critique of Merkel's successor, Friedrich Merz, only 14% believe he would make a better Chancellor than Merkel, with SPD and Green supporters expressing the least confidence.
