Merz's popularity falls to 13 percent, lowest for any German chancellor on record

Chancellor Friedrich Merz holds a 13 percent approval rating, the lowest recorded for any German chancellor since polling began, according to BBC News. Rumors have circulated for weeks of a CDU move to replace him with a more popular figure. No challenger has publicly stepped forward. Merz has served 16 months and told voters that "backbone, steadfastness and patience" were required.