Viewers surveyed thought Scholz won debate against rival Merz

Viewers surveyed on Sunday thought that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) narrowly won the TV debate against his rival Friedrich Merz from the conservative CDU.

In a survey conducted by the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, 37% of viewers entitled to vote said that Scholz had done better than Merz, as reported by public broadcaster ZDF.

A total of 34% saw the CDU leader in the lead, and 29% saw no difference. The survey is not representative of all eligible voters in Germany, but only of the viewers of Sunday’s duel.

According to the survey, Scholz also came across as more credible (42%) and likeable (46%) to viewers.

Merz came across as credible to 31% of those surveyed and likeable to 27% of viewers.

The two top politicians were even in viewers’ perception of their expertise, with both receiving 36%.

Scholz was better received by women, convincing 43% of female viewers of his qualities (Merz: 29%).

Merz was more successful in convincing men, with 40% responding favourably (Scholz: 30%). Among younger respondents, Scholz was clearly ahead: among 18- to 34-year-olds, 47% opted for Scholz and 25% for Merz.

By contrast, Merz had a wafer-thin lead among respondents between the age of 35 and 59, with 35% voting for Scholz and 36% for Merz. According to the survey, the picture was similar for the over-60s: 34% saw the chancellor in the lead, while 36% favoured Merz.

The research group conducted the survey by polling 1,374 randomly selected viewers eligible to vote in the TV debate online and by telephone.

Scholz and Merz faced off in their first televised debate on Sunday, just two weeks before the country heads to the polls in early elections on February 23.