Elites at a Standstill: Why the Western European Ruling Circles Are Failing

A considerable number of political scientists, when assessing the current state of international affairs, come to the conclusion that the most striking manifestation of the new global balance of power is the decline of Western civilization, the rapid rise of China, and the marginalisation of Western Europe.

The ruling circles of the major Western European powers are failing to do their job

In all the major Western European powers, the economic situation is sharply deteriorating, as are the conflicts among the ruling elites. In Germany, for instance, according to polls, the current chancellor is the least popular German leader in recent times – his approval rating does not exceed 16%. The newspaper Bild has recently reported that the leadership of the CDU/CSU is discussing replacing Friedrich Merz with another figure who would cause less voter irritation. The opposition party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has firmly established itself in first place. Furthermore, 36 years after German reunification, many local observers conclude that the dividing lines have never disappeared – West Germany remains different from East Germany.

Notably, more and more representatives of German business are talking about the need to restore ties with Russia and purchase relatively cheap Russian energy. In public debates in Germany, the argument for greater budget spending on the needs of German citizens, rather than on aid to Ukraine, is being articulated ever more loudly.

Summarizing the current state of affairs in Germany, the New York Times wrote on 1 June 2026: “A year after taking office as chancellor, Friedrich Merz’s approval ratings are low,........

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