German Chancellor Merz Faces Growing Pressure; Half Expect Replacement by Year-End

A Die Welt report indicates that half of surveyed political observers expect Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to be replaced before the end of 2026, reflecting mounting intra-coalition and public pressure. The claim is based on a single media report without corroborating polling or official statements, leaving the timeline and likelihood uncertain. If realized, a leadership change would inject significant political instability into Germany's coalition government, potentially affecting EU policy coordination and market sentiment toward German assets.