Survey shows two thirds of Germans unhappy with Chancellor Scholz

Around two thirds of Germans are unhappy with the work of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his fractious coalition, which has faced crisis after crisis since taking office in December, according to a survey published on Sunday.

Only 25 per cent of Germans believe the Social Democrat is doing his job well, down from 46 per cent in March, according to the poll by Insa for “Bild am Sonntag” weekly newspaper.

By contrast 62 per cent of Germans think Scholz — who was deputy chancellor under veteran conservative leader Angela Merkel in the previous ruling coalition — is doing his job badly, a record number, compared to just 39 per cent in March.

Since taking power, Scholz has had to deal with the war in Ukraine, an energy crisis, soaring inflation and now drought — all pushing Europe’s largest economy to the brink of a recession. Critics have accused him of not showing sufficient leadership.

Then on Friday, opposition lawmakers in Hamburg accused him of obfuscating the truth at a hearing into a major tax scam that took place during his tenure as mayor of the northern port city — charges he denies, instead protesting memory lapses.

• Europe