BERLIN (Dispatches) - Most Germans expect 
Chancellor Friedrich Merz to be replaced before the next scheduled election in 2029, according to a YouGov poll.
The survey found 36% of respondents expect Merz to be replaced as chancellor before the election, while 18% expect him to be replaced this year, according to the DPA news agency. 
According to 29% of those surveyed, Merz will remain in office at least until the election, while 17% did not provide an answer. 
When asked who was considered more suitable for the office of chancellor, 9% chose Merz, while 25% named his party colleague, the state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst. However, 66% answered that they did not know. 
In July, Merz made a number of organizational changes to his government and the leadership of his Christian Democrats. 
According to a large majority of those surveyed, Merz has not gained authority within his party from the reshuffles, with 36% of respondents stating he had lost considerable authority, while another 31% believed he had lost some. 
Only 1% of those surveyed believed he had gained significant authority, while 5% percent thought that was somewhat the case. For 19%, neither applied. 
The poll was conducted between August 14 and 17 and surveyed 2,190 adults living in Germany. 
The survey, commissioned by DPA, comes as Merz’s government struggles in opinion polls ahead of three high-stakes state elections in September, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany is expected to make significant gains.
Merz Booed at First Public Event After Three-Week Absence 
On Saturday, Merz was booed during a visit to North Rhine-Westphalia, which had been hit by devastating wildfires. 
The wildfire in Germany’s Eifel region was described as the largest in the region’s history and prompted the evacuation of around 2,000 people. Firefighting efforts, completed earlier this week, were complicated by the presence of possible unexploded World War II ordnance.
Merz’s speech, in which he thanked emergency services for bringing the fires under control, was repeatedly interrupted by shouts and whistles from some of those gathered, while several farmers also honked their tractors’ horns.
Bild reported later in the day that around 200 people attended the event, with some holding signs bearing slogans critical of Merz. The gathering marked the chancellor’s return to the public eye after a 23-day vacation; he last appeared in public on July 29, the tabloid noted.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz