German Chancellor Merz Claims Unprecedented Social Media Criticism Compared to Predecessors

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC that he faces a level of social media criticism unmatched by any of his predecessors. Despite claiming he does not complain, Merz described the online attacks as toxic and regrettable, particularly those from anonymous users that denigrate political figures. He contrasted his experience with former Chancellors Olaf Scholz and Gerhard Schröder, arguing that while they faced resistance, they were not personally attacked to the same extent. Merz attributed part of the backlash to poor expectation management, noting that democratic politics cannot provide instant gratification like an online delivery service. The interview occurred as his coalition government marked its first year in power amid low approval ratings, with recent surveys identifying him as the least popular leader in Europe. Merz defended his push for economic reforms and prioritization of security over social policy, asserting that he is the first chancellor in two decades to honestly inform Germans that their dream of prosperity is unsustainable. He emphasized that despite the sluggish nature of German democracy, his government has achieved significant progress.