BERLIN

A large number of Germans are unhappy with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and do not support his decision to run again next year, a new poll revealed on Thursday.

Some 76% of those surveyed said they believe that Chancellor Scholz lacks leadership skills, and 58% said he is not doing his job well as the head of the government.

The Social Democrat politician is facing growing voter discontent, as his left-liberal coalition government has been at loggerheads on major policy issues, including social spending, energy reforms, and budget-saving measures.

As many as 67% of those surveyed said they do not support Scholz’s decision to run for a second term in the next general election in 2025. Only 29% of voters expressed support for his candidacy.

Among the supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), some 53% spoke in favor of Scholz running again, while 41% said they are against his candidacy.

The representative poll was commissioned by the German public broadcaster ZDF, and it was conducted by the foundation Forschungsgruppe Wahlen on Aug. 12-14, with a sample of 1,334 people nationwide.