German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is experiencing a significant decline in popularity, with only 15% of respondents expressing satisfaction with his leadership, according to a recent Forsa poll. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has emerged as the leading party, garnering 27% support, surpassing Merz's conservative CDU/CSU alliance, which stands at 22%. As the government approaches its first anniversary in May, it faces mounting criticism over its handling of the economy. Last week, the government revised its 2026 growth forecast, reducing it amid the ongoing energy crisis stemming from the Middle East conflict. Additionally, a separate Insa poll ranked Merz as the least popular politician among 20 surveyed figures. Internal discord within the coalition, particularly between the CDU/CSU and the center-left SPD, has further complicated efforts to implement reforms, leading to frustrations within the business community. Key regional elections in the former East German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are on the horizon, where the AfD is currently leading in polls.