According to the DW website, never in Germany's post-war history has a government had to solve so many problems at the same time.
In office for 7 months now, the coalition of Social Democratic Party (SPD), Green Party and Free Democratic Party (FDP) began with a commitment to bringing Germany to a climate-neutral future. But Russia then launched a military campaign in Ukraine in February, causing serious consequences for the German economy - especially in the defense and energy sectors.
As Russia cuts off gas supplies, Germany's energy supply is under threat and prices are rising. Now, coal-fired power plants, which are particularly harmful to the climate, are operating again.
About 1,300 eligible voters participated in the GermanyTrend poll in June. The results showed that 52% wanted Germany to maintain its climate protection target despite current problems. Of these, 83% of voters in the Green Party - who are often young, live in urban areas and have high education - want to stick with the goals.
43% of respondents want to cut climate protection targets. Of these, 69% support the far-right AfD and 56% support the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) - traditionally a strong force in rural areas and the elderly.
Dissatisfaction with many policies
56% of respondents said they were not satisfied with the government's response to the Russia-Ukraine war. 66% are not satisfied with the government's efforts to ensure energy supply. 67% pointed out errors in financial and budgetary policies. 76% said that the government's efforts to reduce the burden of price increases were not enough.
Rising inflation was also reflected in the individual economic prospects of respondents. There are many concerns about how things will go next year, despite major differences between regions. 72% of respondents in the Western states assessed their own economic situation as positive, but only 59% of respondents in the former German states assessed so.
But the majority of respondents said they support continuing to implement the already applied measures. 2/3 want to extend their September tickets to use public transport after August. 56% of respondents want to extend fuel tax reductions, except for those who support the Green Party.
Will the sanctions against Russia last?
With each week of the Russia-Ukraine conflict continuing, the economic consequences for Germany are becoming increasingly clear. However, the majority of the population still supports Russian sanctions.
About 60% said they support sanctions against Russia even as energy supplies are a problem and even as local businesses are at a disadvantage. 57% support these measures even as energy and grocery prices continue to increase.
There is a big difference between western Germany and the East, where the majority still reject sanctions against Russia.
However, there is once again a difference between the parties. The majority of Green Party, CDU/CSU, SPD and FDP supporters support the suspension of the sanctions. 80% of AfD voters opposed any sanctions that had an adverse impact on the German people.
