Labor support declines, Merz's popularity decreases compared to Scholz.

The union's support has weakened, with Merz appearing less liked than Scholz.

The Union parties in Germany are witnessing a downward trend in the RTL/Trendbarometer. Additionally, the Greens are also experiencing a slight drop. Respondents in the survey are perplexed by the ongoing traffic light issue disputes. For the first time, Forsa inquired how people would vote in a battle between Chancellor Scholz and challenger Merz.

In less than two weeks before the European election, Union parties are experiencing a decrease in support. They lose two percentage points in the latest RTL/ntv-Trendbarometer, retaining the top spot with a 30% approval rating. The Greens also decline by one percentage point. Meanwhile, the FDP and the BSW each see a one-point increase. The approval ratings for the SPD and AfD remain unchanged.

At present, if the Bundestag were to be elected, the following results could be anticipated: CDU/CSU - 30%, SPD - 16%, AfD - 15%, Greens - 13%, FDP - 6%, BSW (-). The Left party falls below 3% and is grouped with other parties by the Forsa Institute. The proportion of undecided voters is 22%, lower than the proportion of non-voters in the previous federal election (23.4%).

The respondents were previously asked to choose between Scholz and Merz in a hypothetical leadership fight, with the option of Scholz versus Merz and Habeck or Scholz versus Merz and Baerbock. However, a potential "chancellor duel" is expected to occur between the incumbent Chancellor and the lead opposition party candidate in the upcoming federal election. The participants are now asked to vote for the one they would choose in a fictional direct election for the Federal Chancellor.

If the election was between Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz, more voters would currently favor Scholz (33%) over Merz (31%). Scholz leads in both the eastern and western regions of the country. More men would vote for Merz than Scholz, but more women would choose Scholz over Merz. The reluctance of Scholz among SPD supporters is 78% greater than the reluctance of Merz among Union supporters (68%).

When asked which party is best suited to address issues in Germany, 18% consider the Union, a decrease of one percentage point from the previous week. The SPD gains a percentage point and is now trusted with political competence by 9%. The Greens, on the other hand, decline by one point and are now viewed as capable of solving problems in Germany by 7%. 5% believe that the AfD can solve Germany's issues, 2% the FDP. 55% think that no party can handle the problems in Germany.

The interest of German citizens in the war in Ukraine has slightly diminished this week, coming in at 42%. On the other hand, interest in the European election (29%) is rising and is now the third most significant issue for the German population after the work of the federal government (32%). Behind that are the general economic situation (26%) and the conflict in the Middle East (22%).

Another survey on opinions about the traffic light coalition highlights the cause of lackluster performances by the SPD, Greens, and FDP if the Bundestag were to be elected this week. Respondents struggle to understand the ongoing disputes between the three government parties. These disputes are further intensified by ongoing budget negotiations for the approaching year.

Similar to last summer, only a minority of Germans (36%) grasp why there is a dispute between the three government parties due to different viewpoints. A majority of respondents (59%) say they've grown tired of the ongoing disputes, to the point that they no longer really pay attention to the specific issues being debated. Green party supporters are an exception to this trend. The most significant discontent with the ongoing squabbles between the government parties is expressed by supporters of opposition parties and non-voters.

The data for the RTL/ntv Trend Barometer was gathered by the market and opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Germany between May 24th and 27th. Sample size: 2,503 respondents. Statistical error margin: plus/minus 2.5 percentage points.

The data regarding opinions on the traffic light coalition was also assembled by the market and opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Germany between May 24th and 27th. Sample size: 1,001 respondents. Statistical error margin: plus/minus 3 percentage points.

More details about Forsa here. Forsa conducts surveys on behalf of RTL Germany. RTL/ntv Trend Barometer Traffic light coalition opinion survey