'Catastrophic' Merz 'cannot do the job!' - AfD blasts chancellor over policy U-turns, spending with approval at 'historic low'

"Alternative for Germany (AfD) politicians delivered a sharp critique of Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a Bundestag debate on Wednesday, accusing his government of economic mismanagement, broken promises and declining public support. “Friedrich Merz cannot do the job. And with his government, nothing more can be achieved,” said Bernd Baumann, claiming the chancellor had lost public trust within a year of taking office. Baumann argued that Merz has abandoned key campaign pledges, including fiscal discipline and stricter migration policies. “After just one year in government, they rate Friedrich Merz more catastrophically than any chancellor in the entire history of the Republic,” he said. AfD deputy parliamentary leader Leif-Erik Holm pointed to declining approval ratings, saying support for the chancellor has fallen to record lows. “Only 13 per cent of people still think he is doing well — an absolute low. The disappointment… is enormous,” Holm said, adding that pre-election promises had been 'thrown overboard'. He also criticised government spending plans, warning of long-term financial consequences. “A spending spree of trillions in debt, which even our grandchildren will still be paying off,” Holm said. Meanwhile, Beatrix von Storch accused the government of pushing through major policy shifts without public backing, including increased defence spending, which she described as "the largest debt-financed rearmament programme in Germany’s post-war history." Responding to the criticism, Hans Koller, from CSU, rejected the opposition’s claims, arguing that the AfD lacked governing experience, while issuing a warning against its political agenda. “Seventy to seventy-five per cent clearly believe you should never be given responsibility,” he said, adding that Germany continues to face major challenges but 'is not standing still'. Recent polls show declining support for Chancellor Merz, with approval ratings hovering near 12–13%, while the AfD has climbed to around 30–32%, intensifying pressure on the governing coalition."

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