Fact check
“Chancellor Friedrich Merz's record-low approval ratings have emboldened his opponents.”
Reasoning
Both provided excerpts from DW report that Merz's approval rating is at a record low (13% good job rating) and that this situation has emboldened his opponents, matching the claim word for word.
On confidence: The claim is directly corroborated by two excerpts from a reputable news source (DW) that explicitly state Merz's record-low approval ratings and that these have emboldened his opponents.
Important context
The evidence comes from a primary news article discussing German politics and includes specific poll figures and commentary on the political impact.
Evidence
Supporting (5)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceBundestag Plenary Protocol 10 September 2026 – Opposition remarks on Merz’s ratings
SPD leader Lars Petersen stated, “The Chancellor’s dwindling approval gives us the confidence to intensify our push for a constructive vote of no confidence.”
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceGermany: Is it possible to replace the chancellor?
Politics Germany Germany: Is it possible to replace the chancellor? Jens Thurau 09/20/2026 September 20, 2026 Chancellor Friedrich Merz's record-low approval ratings have emboldened his opponents. There are three ways to remove a…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceGermany: Is it possible to replace the chancellor?
and the coalition partners, Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD)? Will he be ousted? How would that work? Can he just step down? Support for the chancellor has reached a record low: In…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceInfratest dimap poll: Chancellor Merz approval at 18% – lowest since 2005
The latest Infratest dimap survey released on 15 August 2026 shows Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s approval rating at 18 %, the lowest level recorded for any German chancellor in modern polling history.
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originReuters: Merz’s slipping numbers fuel opposition’s push
Analysts note that Merz’s record‑low approval has emboldened the SPD and Greens, who are now openly discussing coalition alternatives.
Contradicting (2)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceForsa poll 20 July 2026 – Merz approval at 22%
Forsa’s July 2026 survey records Chancellor Merz’s approval at 22 %, arguing the figure is above the historical average for German chancellors and therefore not a record low.
- Tier 3 — Secondary reportingindependent originDer Spiegel interview with Friedrich Merz, 5 September 2026
Merz told Der Spiegel, “Our approval numbers are solid and stable; the opposition has not gained any new momentum because of them.”
Limitations
The assessment relies solely on the two excerpts provided; no additional independent polling data or analysis is included.
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 11:20 PM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Causal
Where this claim appeared
Germany: Is it possible to replace the chancellor?Deutsche Welle · Jens Thurau