Remarks made last week by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — to the effect that pensions would need to be reduced to a minimum — are certain to have driven his already declining popularity even lower, including among his own CDU party members and supporters. In an INSA poll conducted April 24–27, Merz scored only 55.1 points even within his own CDU party, ranking fifth behind four other regional Christian Democrat leaders. Of the 20 politicians on the list presented to the 2,000 citizens polled, Merz dropped from 18th place a month ago to 20th — making him the least popular politician in the survey, with just 28.9 points.