Only 18% of German voters would welcome Friedrich Merz as a future candidate for chancellor, according to a survey published on Monday.
In the poll conducted by the Forsa institute for broadcaster RTL, 73% of respondents would not welcome the leader of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) to run in the 2029 elections.
Even among supporters of the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, 41% of 1,002 people surveyed in early November opposed his theoretical candidacy, compared to 47% who supported it.
Regarding the chancellor's age - Merz turns 70 today - 52% said it would be better if he were younger.
Merz took office in May amid fierce political debates and infighting over issues such as migration, fiscal policy and the possible introduction of military service due to rising tensions with Russia.