Forsa Chief Critiques Merz’s Leadership Missteps
Daily Monitor
September 20, 2026
Forsa Chief Critiques Merz’s Leadership Missteps
Friedrich Merz faces unprecedented criticism as his leadership struggles to resonate with voters and experts alike.
The political landscape in Germany has been shaken by sharp criticism directed at Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with Manfred Güllner, head of the Forsa polling institute, describing Merz’s leadership as riddled with missteps. In an interview with the ‘Tagesspiegel,’ Güllner called Merz’s decline in public trust ‘unprecedented,’ pointing to a series of strategic errors that have alienated key voter groups. This marks a significant moment for the Union parties, which have seen their approval ratings plummet in recent months.
Güllner’s critique is rooted in historical context, noting that Merz has struggled with public perception since his tenure as Union parliamentary leader in 2002. ‘He was consistently ranked low in popularity, especially among women, younger voters, and East Germans,’ Güllner remarked. Recent polling data underscores this sentiment, with Merz occupying the last position in the June politician rankings by Insa. The Union’s approval ratings have dropped from 28.5% in the last Bundestag election to as low as 20% in the latest YouGov survey.
The Forsa chief also highlighted strategic blunders in Merz’s approach to the 2025 Bundestag election campaign. According to Güllner, Merz’s decision to align with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was a ‘debacle,’ and his focus on migration over economic issues further alienated voters. ‘As Chancellor, he speaks past the people and relies on advisors who act more as cheerleaders than strategists,’ Güllner observed. This disconnect has left many voters disillusioned with the Union’s current direction.
Despite these challenges, Güllner suggested a potential path to redemption: the implementation of a comprehensive pension reform. The government’s recently unveiled pension overhaul could serve as a turning point, offering a chance to rebuild trust among disenchanted voters. Merz has pledged to fully adopt the reform proposal, signaling a willingness to address long-standing concerns about Germany’s aging population and social security system.
Interestingly, Güllner noted that both the Union and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) still possess significant voter potential, with 45% and 46% respectively. However, he warned that many voters remain deterred by the parties’ current platforms and leadership. For the SPD, a prolonged focus on issues like minimum wage and citizen benefits has alienated industrial workers, leading to historically low support in regions like Baden-Württemberg. ‘Millions of Germans still value the SPD as an institution but are unable to align with its current priorities,’ Güllner concluded.
Güllner’s critique is rooted in historical context, noting that Merz has struggled with public perception since his tenure as Union parliamentary leader in 2002. ‘He was consistently ranked low in popularity, especially among women, younger voters, and East Germans,’ Güllner remarked. Recent polling data underscores this sentiment, with Merz occupying the last position in the June politician rankings by Insa. The Union’s approval ratings have dropped from 28.5% in the last Bundestag election to as low as 20% in the latest YouGov survey.
The Forsa chief also highlighted strategic blunders in Merz’s approach to the 2025 Bundestag election campaign. According to Güllner, Merz’s decision to align with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was a ‘debacle,’ and his focus on migration over economic issues further alienated voters. ‘As Chancellor, he speaks past the people and relies on advisors who act more as cheerleaders than strategists,’ Güllner observed. This disconnect has left many voters disillusioned with the Union’s current direction.
Despite these challenges, Güllner suggested a potential path to redemption: the implementation of a comprehensive pension reform. The government’s recently unveiled pension overhaul could serve as a turning point, offering a chance to rebuild trust among disenchanted voters. Merz has pledged to fully adopt the reform proposal, signaling a willingness to address long-standing concerns about Germany’s aging population and social security system.
Interestingly, Güllner noted that both the Union and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) still possess significant voter potential, with 45% and 46% respectively. However, he warned that many voters remain deterred by the parties’ current platforms and leadership. For the SPD, a prolonged focus on issues like minimum wage and citizen benefits has alienated industrial workers, leading to historically low support in regions like Baden-Württemberg. ‘Millions of Germans still value the SPD as an institution but are unable to align with its current priorities,’ Güllner concluded.
Drafted & Edited by Investigative Desk | AboMatrix