Nearly half of Germans support Merkel becoming federal president, but she has explicitly denied running

Survey: Nearly Half of Germans Want Merkel to Serve as Federal President

Angela Merkel, the former chancellor who has been out of politics for nearly five years, is once again making headlines in German political news. A survey conducted by Forsa Institute for RTL and ntv television shows that 47% of respondents believe Merkel is suitable for the role of German federal president. The incumbent president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will complete his second term next year and is set to step down.

Merkel’s support crosses party lines: 55% of CDU/CSU supporters back her, as do 55% of SPD voters; support among Green Party voters reaches as high as 75%, while 70% of left-wing voters express approval. Even among voters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, 23% acknowledge her capability for the nation's highest office.

However, Merkel herself has no intention of returning to politics. When rumors about her potential candidacy emerged in February 2026, she explicitly denied them, calling the speculation utterly absurd.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872949927128136/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.