Multiple outlets report that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s efforts to revive his flagging popularity are not going smoothly. Real Clear Politics and Politico Europe both characterize the chancellor’s “comeback tour” as running into difficulties, suggesting that his push to improve his public standing is backfiring. While neither source provides detailed, outlet-specific evidence in the provided excerpts, both accounts align on the broader theme: Merz is attempting to regain momentum, but his approach is producing negative results rather than a turnaround. The reports frame the tour as descending into setbacks, with the implication that events and public responses are undermining his intended effect. Overall, the coverage presented here is consistent in stating that Merz is actively pursuing a popularity-revival strategy and that, at least at this stage, the campaign trajectory is unfavorable. Further specifics—such as the nature of the setbacks, audience reactions, or policy disputes—are not included in the supplied text.