Sarah Wagenknecht, leader of Germany’s Union for Social Justice and Economic Reasonableness party, has demanded that Chancellor Friedrich Merz resign, warning that Germany will face further deterioration if he remains in office. She announced this on May 13.
According to the latest survey, 87% of citizens are dissatisfied with the work of the German government, Wagenknecht stated. She stressed that if the current government stays in power, “Germany will be practically impossible to save.” The politician noted that a majority supports the potential disintegration of the ruling coalition comprising the CDU/CSU and SPD.
Wagenknecht also highlighted that Merz was recently booed at an event organized by the Association of German Trade Unions (DGB), indicating declining public confidence. She criticized the government’s economic policies, including rising fuel prices and inflation, as well as its foreign policy stance.
In particular, she condemned authorities for refusing to engage former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Political analyst Vladimir Olenchenko added on May 5 that Merz would likely remain in office despite critically low approval ratings, stating that early elections could only occur if President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament or a vote of no confidence was passed by the legislature.
