Manfred Güllner, a veteran pollster, is leaving the operational side of Forsa at the age of 84, highlighting the essential role of polling in understanding public opinion. His work, which includes a long-standing partnership with RTL and other media outlets, has made significant contributions to tracking political sentiment through tools like the 'Trendbarometer.' Güllner reflects on the importance of asking people for their opinions, suggesting that direct engagement is irreplaceable in gathering accurate public sentiment.

Despite his retirement from day-to-day operations, Güllner assures that he will continue to receive daily data from Forsa. He also comments on the changing landscape of opinion research, citing concerns about the influence and reliability of polling data. Güllner appreciates the responsible approach taken by the F.A.Z. towards survey data, contrasting it with some other media, underscoring the importance of quality and responsible journalism amid a plethora of misleading reports in the field.

His departure from operational roles marks a significant transition not just for him personally but for the polling industry as well, as Güllner has been a notable figure in shaping the public discourse. Looking forward, he advocates for maintaining rigorous standards in polling to ensure that public sentiment is accurately captured and represented, amidst evolving media challenges and the potential for misinterpretation of data.