The popularity ranking of politicians: Scholz is the major loser of the year – and less popular than the AfD leader

Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) leads the list of the most popular politicians in the country. In the annual political ranking conducted by the opinion research institute Insa on behalf ofIn a survey by “Bild am Sonntag”, 42 percent of the 2004 respondents expressed a desire for greater influence in German politics from Pistorius. The SPD politician not only has the support of 55 percent of SPD voters but also 56 percent of Union voters, 58 percent of Green voters, and 48 percent of FDP voters (SPD) (Green) (FDP).

“Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius not only outperforms his predecessor Christine Lambrecht but also surpasses all other politicians surveyed,” says Insa Managing Director Hermann Binkert. Lambrecht received meager 16 percent approval last year. “His success proves that politicians can convince with their work, even in times of crisis and despite the great frustration with the government.”

Scholz experiences biggest decline and ends up behind AfD leader Weidel

The biggest decline was seen by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). He now only has 26 percent approval (-10) and ranks twelfth, one place behind AfD leader Alice Weidel. Last year, Scholz was in third place.

Alongside Scholz, all other cabinet members also experience a decline in approval. Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Green) has 27 percent approval (-5), Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has 28 percent approval (-5). Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Green) each lose seven percentage points.

Söder and Merz gaining popularity – but not among all voters

Just behind Pistorius in second place is last year’s winner: CSU leader Markus Söder. Unlike Pistorius, Söder garners overwhelming approval, especially from the conservative camp (Union voters: 71 percent, FDP voters: 52 percent), but faces rejection from SPD voters (32 percent) and Green voters (19 percent).

CDU leader Friedrich Merz has significantly climbed the rankings. He has improved by five places and now ranks third with an approval rating of 33 percent. It’s clear that his support predominantly comes from Union voters, with 63 percent wanting more of Merz, while only nine percent of Green voters do.

Binkert: “As the opposition at the federal level, the Union benefits from the poor approval ratings of the traffic light coalition. AfD faction leader Alice Weidel and Sahra Wagenknecht also make significant advances in the ranking.”

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