DPA poll: 48% of Germans say Merkel would handle Germany's problems better than Merz
In short
A DPA poll cited by TASS found that 48% of Germans believe former chancellor Merkel would handle Germany's problems better than Merz, while only 8% considered her less competent. RIA Novosti reported that nearly half of Germans rate Merkel above Merz. Neither report gave the sample size, fieldwork dates or the pollster behind the survey.
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A poll cited by TASS found that 48% of Germans believe former chancellor Merkel would handle Germany's problems better than Merz, the agency reported. The same report said only 8% of respondents considered Merkel less competent for one reason or another. TASS attributed the data to the DPA agency. [ 1 ]
RIA Novosti also reported that almost half of Germans consider Merkel better than Merz, citing a poll. Neither report named the pollster, the sample size or the dates on which the survey was carried out. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The figures, as reported by the two outlets, point to a plurality of German respondents favouring a former chancellor over the incumbent in the poll. The documents offer no further context on German politics, so the significance beyond that single poll cannot be established from them.
Key facts
- A poll cited by TASS reported that 48% of Germans think Merkel would cope better with Germany's problems than Merz. [ 1 ]
- The same report said only 8% of respondents considered the former chancellor less competent for one reason or another. [ 1 ]
- The poll data were attributed to the DPA agency. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reported that almost half of Germans consider Merkel better than Merz, citing a poll. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The share of respondents who considered Merkel less competent, given as 8%. Only one document states this figure; no other outlet in the set repeats it.
- Who conducted the poll, its sample size and its fieldwork dates. Both documents refer to a poll but give no methodology; one attributes the data to DPA without naming a pollster.
- The exact wording and full set of questions in the survey. The documents report only the headline results, so the phrasing respondents were asked about is not known.