{
  "id": 4480317,
  "title": "Friedrich Merz: Friedrich, der Unnahbare: Das Empathie-Defizit des Kanzlers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/friedrich-merz-friedrich-der-unnahbare-das-empathie-defizit-des",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T18:27:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-friedrich-der-unnahbare-das-empathie-defizit-des-kanzlers/100250093.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In the early 1990s, American presidential candidate Bill Clinton managed to convince skeptical voters with just a short phrase: \"I feel your pain,\" he said. It was this empathy that made the governor from the provinces into one of the most successful politicians of his generation. Germany is governed by a very different type of politician, as demonstrated on Sunday once again. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) appeared for a summer interview on the ARD Capital studio. Days after the government's resignation in the Neuhardenberg Castle and a week before the important Lower Saxony state election, he answered the questions of moderator Markus Preiß. Merz leaves no doubt that he believes in his politics. The Chancellor lists the achievements of the black-red government, he justifies himself, he teaches, he reminds. But one thing he also fails to do at this appearance: to be approachable and empathetic. The empathy deficit that characterizes his chancellorship remains evident. Survey institutes' findings are dramatic: Merz's approval ratings have fallen to 16 percent. Even his predecessor Olaf Scholz, a far from sympathetic figure, could count on roughly twice as much support after a year in office. Can Merz still turn the mood around? Only on Thursday he engaged in a citizens' dialogue with a pediatrician on RTL. The \"summer interview\" format suits him better, direct contact with the sovereign is not planned. Politics is a matter of head for Merz. But the poor demographic prognosis discourages the Chancellor from reconsidering his performance or his politics. He announces with confidence that the government will continue on its current path. \"I have to make decisions that we had to make years and decades ago,\" he says. \"It will be counted at the end, not in between.\" Merz, from the Sauerland, is clear-headed and believes his coalition is doing many things right. \"What good is the best parental leave if we lose our freedom and threaten peace in Europe?\" he asks, defending the government's high defense spending. The Chancellor is unsuccessful in eliciting a specific vision from Preiß about the future of the country. Merz remains imprecise. The use of artificial intelligence in medium-sized businesses is crucial for future prosperity, he says. His goal is to give today's children the same opportunities as his generation had. The Chancellor believes the voters are not convinced: this finding won't change much after this interview. There are only few moments left. Merz offers little new, neither in content nor in rhetoric. \"We have completed the migration wave,\" he declares. The economy is picking up again. The government has taken the necessary steps to expand the energy supply. Progress is underway - that is Merz's message. Only once does the Chancellor show self-criticism. He admits that political change requires \"more time than I thought.\" It's a concession, albeit a minimal one, a reaction to the disappointment he encounters. The AfD is expected to dominate the upcoming vote in Lower Saxony, with polls showing it could secure almost 42 percent of the vote, nearly an outright majority. Merz tries to warn. The state of Lower Saxony would suffer significantly if the AfD were to come to power. \"I cannot imagine international investors would approach a Minister-President of the AfD to launch new works and establish new companies in Lower Saxony,\" Merz says. But the decision would be made by the voters of Lower Saxony themselves. Whether this message resonates remains to be seen.",
  "summary": "Die Umfragewerte sind mies, die Stimmung an der Basis ist es auch. Im Sommerinterview findet Merz für all das eine Erklärung. Was fehlt, ist die politische Einfühlsamkeit.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chancellor Friedrich Merz lacks empathy, with approval ratings at 16%",
    "Merz engages in citizens' dialogue with pediatrician, but no specific vision shared",
    "AfD expected to dominate Lower Saxony election, potentially securing 42% of vote"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}