A new survey by polling agency YouGov shows that a majority of Germans believe conditions in their country have deteriorated since the end of former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel’s term in office.
According to the survey, 61% believe that conditions in Germany have deteriorated since Merkel’s departure from politics in December 2021, while 25% believe they have remained roughly the same.
According to YouGov, a total of 2,030 people were surveyed online between June 28 and July 3. The sample was chosen to reflect population parameters such as age, gender, religion, voting behaviour, education and political interest – and therefore represents the electorate aged 18 and over.
Those who see a deterioration in the situation attribute this largely, at least in part, to the work of Germany’s three-party, centre-left coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Specifically, 28% mention Scholz’s “bad government,” while 15% attribute the worsening conditions to external factors. For more than half of the respondents, both factors play a role.
Merkel, who entered the chancellery in 2005 and held the office for 16 years, celebrates her 70th birthday on Wednesday. She was the first woman to become chancellor of Germany.
