Chancellor swop? Rumours swirl about German leader Friedrich Merz’s future
Rumors about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's potential ousting have surfaced amid his low popularity and stalled reforms. Despite speculation, the government has dismissed these claims, emphasizing stability and a focus on reform plans. The situation highlights the growing instability in German politics, particularly with the rise of the far-right AfD party.
- ▪Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently Germany's most unpopular leader, with only 14% satisfaction according to a recent poll.
- ▪The German government has labeled the rumors of Merz's ousting as 'wild speculation' and emphasized the need for stability.
- ▪Potential challenger Hendrik Wuest is seen as a possible replacement, but he faces challenges in gaining national recognition.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Chancellor swop? Rumours swirl about German leader Friedrich Merz’s futureSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxMost commentators don’t believe German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be dumped any time soon. But the drama underscores how unstable once-staid German politics has become.PHOTO: EPAPublished May 29, 2026, 11:55 PMUpdated May 29, 2026, 11:55 PMSummariseGerman government dismissed rumours on May 29 that Chancellor Friedrich Merz's rivals plan to oust him due to low popularity and stalled reforms.Merz is Germany's most unpopular chancellor, with only 14% satisfaction (Forsa).
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.