What Will Cure European Leaders’ Unpopularity?

Most European leaders have one thing in common: They are increasingly unpopular. Some aren’t even bothered by it.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is a case in point. He is one of the most unpopular leaders in Europe, yet he doesn’t appear to be trying to increase his popularity.

Merz is often criticized for being indifferent to people’s problems. When a woman with cancer complained about planned cuts in the health-care reform in April, he rebuked her on a technical matter. After the incident sparked outrage, his staff sent an autographed card—claiming that’s what she requested, which she denied.

Following a major forest fire, Merz visited Hürtgenwald on August 22 and was met with boos and whistles by the community. He responded: “I won’t let myself be intimidated by those who protest loudly. I turn to those who don’t shout but pitch in and help.”

Even when Merz delivers apparent successes, the boos and whistles only increase. Germany’s once most popular politician Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg wrote in his August 20 newsletter:

On July 9, the chancellor addressed the Bundestag and presented the government’s record, hoping it would be impressive: pensions, health insurance, income tax, the labor market, infrastructure and reducing bureaucracy. “Much of what has already been decided is beginning to take effect,” said Friedrich Merz. He spoke of over 3,000 new businesses established in the first half of the year. And the outlook: taxes, pensions, health care and the labor market constitute a massive reform package that no federal government in recent years has tackled on this scale. Part of the claimed record, therefore, still lies in the future.

Five weeks later, the market research institute insa, according to Bild, reported that 78 percent of Germans were dissatisfied with the chancellor’s work, while only 16 percent were satisfied. The [Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union] stands at 20 percent in the Sunday poll—the worst insa reading since October 2021—just under three weeks before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt.

One might view this as a German problem—a matter of communication or tone on the part of this chancellor. That would be a convenient explanation and certainly not entirely incorrect. And yet, when stated in such sweeping terms, it is simply wrong.

Guttenberg appears to blame the voters instead: “Those who govern and implement reforms are therefore asking voters for a loan: Trust today in exchange for results tomorrow. But this loan is hardly ever granted these days.”

Guttenberg also identified a general decline in support for politicians:

Even governments elected by a large majority are rapidly losing the trust of voters these days. Moreover, those who undertake reforms are asking too much of citizens—while the hoped-for results could materialize much later. The result: widespread dissatisfaction. All too often, this leads to the ousting of those in power.

Merz began his rule with a lack of popularity, with only 1 in 3 viewing him favorably; he has become even more unpopular over the course of his term. But he is not the only one.

A Global Trend

The leaders of the next two largest economies in the European Union face similar problems:

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is one of Europe’s most popular leaders, but since taking office in 2022, she has seen a drastic decline in favor.

• In spring 2023, 57 percent saw her favorably; only 41 percent unfavorably (Pew).
• By July 2026, only 37 percent saw her favorably with 56 percent unfavorable (YouGov). A slight improvement from her 32 percent low.

French President Emmanuel Macron took office with great euphoria in 2017 and is today among the most unpopular leaders in the world.

• In June 2017, Macron enjoyed the approval of 64 percent (Ifop).

• By July 2026, only 20 percent saw him favorably (YouGov).

It also isn’t just a European problem; we see similar trends around the world. Guttenberg wrote:

In 2024, John Burn-Murdoch cited a figure in the Financial Times that is worth noting: In every single one of the 10 major industrialized nations that held elections that year and are included in the ParlGov database, the ruling party subsequently lost voter support. Not in most of them—in all of them. This has never happened in nearly 120 years of record-keeping.

Even a strong personality like United States President Donald Trump started with an approval rating of 53 percent in January of last year, which has since sunk to 33 percent this August (YouGov).

How can European leaders overcome this global trend?

Some have tried to use potential conflict with the U.S. as a rallying cry. This backfired for Denmark’s government. According to Guttenberg, snap elections weren’t decided over the dispute with the U.S. over Greenland but by the cost of living, pensions and a wealth tax.

He then made this stunning observation:

An external political opponent like Trump on the Greenland issue influences voters right up to the voting booth. Then it comes down to the wallet. The situation may be different in the case of a concrete military threat.

Currently, Europeans expect their leaders to improve their lives, a standard that virtually none of them meet. It is only in a time of crisis that the general populace is willing to sacrifice comfort for the greater good.

Perhaps that’s why Europe’s leaders put a heavy emphasis on the threat from Russia. But to many, this threat doesn’t appear to be imminent. This could change if Russia were to attack a member of nato.

Merz, for his part, has focused much of his chancellorship on the militarization of Germany. An unprecedented crisis could help his popularity—or at least allow him to ignore his unpopularity a while longer.

This is, in fact, how Europe’s unpopularity crisis is prophesied to end.

What Prophecy Reveals

Daniel 2 and Revelation 17 describe the last rulers of Europe, just before the return of Jesus Christ, as “kings,” or authoritarian leaders.

“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13).

In an Aug. 14, 1978, co-worker letter, the late Herbert W. Armstrong explained: “But they will give all their military and monetary power to the central ruler over the ten—the coming European leader.”

In 1984, he said a massive banking crisis in America “could suddenly result in triggering European nations to unite as a new world power, larger than either the Soviet Union or the U.S.”

In June 2000, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in “The European Union’s Fatal Flaw”:

These 10 nations have “one mind”—the opposite of a democracy! That is where the EU is headed!

These 10 kings may be literal kings. If not, they are going to act like kings, with real authority. That is what the massive shift from democracy is about in the European Union. That is why there has been such a rise in right-wing activity. It is fulfilling the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.

There is a fierce political battle in Britain now over this very issue. Many people in Britain see that the EU is dominated by Germany in a very undemocratic way.

And remember, this political “beast” is labeled that way by God. The man ruling it will be like an emperor over the 10 kings—and will act like a wild beast! This could not happen in a democracy.

This role of emperor is the fatal flaw in the European Union. The vile person will become the emperor and lead Europe in its most destructive path ever.

After unifying, these 10 kings and their leader will wage war! That’s where Europe’s democracy crisis is leading. This is explained in detail in “After Trump’s Victory, Watch Germany.”