Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz are among the most unpopular leaders in Europe, despite governing the continent's three largest economies. Polling shows that only 11% of Britons view Starmer as a good or great prime minister, while Macron and Merz face even lower approval ratings of 18% and 19% respectively, according to YouGov and Statista data.
The trend extends beyond these three. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever all have disapproval ratings comparable to or worse than Starmer's. Even Donald Trump, with 38% approval, fares better than many European leaders, despite his own unpopularity.
Peter Matuschek, head of the Forsa polling institute in Berlin, suggests that a lack of capable politicians may be to blame. He notes that during the Covid crisis, leaders saw approval boosts because they were seen as taking action, but current incumbents have failed to deliver on promises or manage crises effectively.
Macron's approval is significantly worse than Jacques Chirac's at the end of his second term in 2006, despite Chirac being dubbed the most unpopular president of the Fifth Republic at the time. Merz has been criticized for broken promises and poor judgment, while Starmer faces similar accusations of failing to deliver reforms.
Structural issues, such as Europe's declining share of global economic output, may also contribute to the widespread discontent. However, the polling suggests that voters across the continent are frustrated with leaders who appear unable to address pressing challenges, from budget cuts to geopolitical tensions.
