Survey: Most Germans see Merz's coalition as divided after 100 days

After 100 days in office, Germany's conservative-led coalition government is widely seen as divided, according to a new survey by public broadcaster ZDF.

The coalition comprises Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), their Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the centre-left Social Democrats (SDP).

The poll found that only 32% of respondents believe the coalition parties are cooperating well, while 61% disagree, including 41% of CDU/CSU supporters and 47% of SPD voters.

In early May, just days before the new government took office, a slim majority of 51% had expected good cooperation within the coalition.

The survey polled 1,370 randomly selected eligible voters by phone and online between August 11 and 13, 2025.

If federal elections were held now, the coalition would not hold a majority, according to the poll. Respondents indicated they would vote 27% for the CDU/CSU, unchanged from the previous survey, and 15% for the SPD, also steady.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) would be the second-strongest party at 23%, down one point. The Greens would rise to 12%, up one point, and The Left would hold 11%.

Both the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) would again fall short of the 5% threshold required to enter the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, each polling at 3%.