Exclusive
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has long struggled with a bad image. Just in time for the decision on his candidacy for chancellor, many Germans suddenly have a more lenient view of him.
“Friederich, Friederich, he was a real rager!” For a long time, this characterization from “Struwwelpeter” also applied to Friedrich Merz. The CDU leader appeared cold, aloof and loud – a man who floats far above normal people in his private plane. But for the past few months, the politician has been working on his image. The new glasses make him look friendlier. His wife chatted about him in the “Bild” newspaper (“For me, it was love at first sight”). And after the terrorist attack in Solingen, he presented himself as an energetic chancellor in waiting who demanded drastic measures.
Friedrich Merz is considered above all as a strong leader
Shortly before the decision on the Union’s candidate for chancellor, a Forsa survey commissioned by Stern shows that Friedrich Merz’s image has improved significantly. Compared to February, the politician has improved in all six of the characteristics surveyed. According to the survey, 60 percent of Germans think that Merz speaks clearly (+3 percentage points). 51 percent think he is a strong leader (+2), 47 percent think he is competent (+3). 33 percent say that he knows what moves people (+2).
Despite the gains, two softer factors remain rather weak: only 30 percent consider Merz to be trustworthy (+3) and only 24 percent find him likeable (+2). Only 34 percent of Union voters also say that they like the CDU leader. The assessment of the other characteristics is much more positive in their own camp. Around 73 percent of Union supporters consider Merz to be competent and 70 percent to be a strong leader. Voters of the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance also see it this way more often than average: 57 percent rate Merz as competent, and even 58 percent as a strong leader.
The data was collected by the market and opinion research institute forsa for the star and RTL Deutschland between August 29 and 30, 2024 by telephone. This makes the survey representative. Data basis: 1007 respondents. Statistical error tolerance: +/- 3 percentage points
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
