Welt: Talk within the ruling party about the possibility of replacing the German Chancellor
German Welt newspaper reported that a growing discontent within the ruling Christian Democratic Union party, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s popularity has declined in recent opinion polls.
The German newspaper revealed widening tensions within the ruling conservative bloc in Germany amid the sharp decline in the popularity of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his government coalition.
According to reports circulating in German political circles, senior figures within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have quietly begun discussing contingency scenarios in case the government’s declining public support continues over the coming months.
The discussions reportedly moved beyond ordinary criticism of government performance and evolved into informal conversations about possible alternative figures who could assume leadership if the political situation deteriorates further.
The speculation intensified after a series of opinion polls showed historically weak approval ratings for Chancellor Merz and his coalition government formed by the CDU/CSU alliance and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Recent surveys indicated that public dissatisfaction with Merz’s leadership exceeded 80% in some polls, while support for the conservative bloc fell behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) for the first time in several nationwide surveys.
Political analysts attribute the erosion in support to several interconnected crises facing Germany.
The country continues to struggle with weak economic growth, industrial slowdown, high energy costs, disputes over welfare and tax reforms, and tensions inside the governing coalition.
Internal disagreements between CDU ministers and SPD leaders have repeatedly surfaced in public, reinforcing perceptions of instability and governmental paralysis.
German media reports also indicate that dissatisfaction within the CDU is no longer confined to backroom conversations.
According to leaks cited by several newspapers, concerns are spreading among regional party leaders who fear that continued declines in popularity could strengthen the AfD further ahead of upcoming regional elections.
Some conservative politicians reportedly worry that failing to reverse current trends may threaten the CDU’s long-term dominance within German politics.
Despite the growing speculation, the official leadership of the CDU continues to publicly back Chancellor Merz.
Allies close to the chancellor strongly rejected the rumors, describing talk of replacing him as politically irresponsible and destabilizing.
Party officials insist that Merz retains institutional authority and recently secured renewed internal legitimacy after being re-elected party leader with strong support at the CDU conference.
Under Germany’s political system, replacing a sitting chancellor would require a so-called constructive vote of no confidence in the Bundestag, meaning parliament would need to simultaneously elect a successor before removing the current chancellor.
Although such a move remains unlikely in the near term, observers say the emergence of open succession discussions inside the ruling party reflects the seriousness of the political pressure now facing Merz’s government.
