Plummeting approval ratings for Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin suggest that the era of these three controversial leaders may be drawing to a close, offering a glimmer of hope in a world mired in pessimism. According to recent polling, voters are demoralised and tiring of forever wars, with many in the west feeling increasingly negative about politics and current events.
A Reuters Institute survey found that 40% of respondents across 50 countries now avoid news altogether, up from 29% in 2017, citing anxiety. In France, 90% of people believe their country is on the wrong track, while in Britain the figure is 79%, in Germany 77%, and in the US 60%. Disenchantment with democracy and political leaders is widespread, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 27% approval, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 19%, and French President Emmanuel Macron at 18%.
However, encouraging shifts are emerging in Russia, Israel, and the US. Putin's presidency appears increasingly vulnerable after four years of war in Ukraine, with an estimated 350,000 Russian soldiers killed and the economy strained by sanctions. Reports suggest he faces dissent among his inner circle and fears assassination or a coup. Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces domestic challenges, and Trump's approval rating has fallen to around 38%, trailing Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on 54%.
While radical anti-status quo parties gain traction, offering anger rather than answers, the potential for leadership changes in these key nations could alter the global mood. As the influence of these three figures wanes, there is hope that the west may soon breathe again, with a shift towards more stable and less divisive leadership.
