Days of Black and Red Unification: CDU and SPD Politicians Push for United Front - Coalition partners CDU and SPD call for unity after 100 days in power
Germany's Merz Government Faces Challenges in First 100 Days
In the first 100 days of the Merz government, the coalition of CDU, CSU, and SPD has faced significant internal disputes and decreasing public approval. The key issues causing tension within the government include disagreements over energy transition policy, social welfare cuts, immigration crackdown, and political management controversies.
Energy and Climate Policy Uncertainty
The coalition has struggled to provide clear direction on Germany’s energy transition, a major policy area left in limbo by the previous government. The lack of swift, confident action on climate and energy has contributed to internal dissatisfaction among coalition members and observers.
Migration and Social Welfare
Merz has taken a hard line on immigration, pushing for a crackdown on irregular migration. This shift from previous centrist policies has caused friction especially with the SPD, which has found his right-wing positions difficult to accept. Additionally, Merz’s vow to slash social welfare has been contentious within the coalition.
Coalition Friction and Political Management
The coalition has experienced significant internal discord. A major conflict arose over the nomination of judges to Germany’s highest court when the CDU/CSU withdrew support for an SPD-nominated candidate after right-wing media opposition, triggering fury from the SPD. This episode highlighted simmering coalition resentments.
Public and Party Dissatisfaction
Chancellor Merz’s personal approval rating has plummeted to just 29-32%, the lowest since his inauguration. Support for the governing CDU/CSU-SPD coalition has fallen to 37%, whereas AfD's support has surged to 26%, surpassing the CDU/CSU as the leading party in some polls. Many voters doubt the coalition’s ability to sustain the legislative period without fractures.
Conflict Over Symbolic and Social Issues
Merz sparked a political row by opposing flying an LGBTQ rainbow flag on the parliament building, calling it inappropriate. Such incidents have exacerbated tensions within the coalition and among political allies.
The Rising AfD Opposition
The AfD has capitalized on public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of migration, energy, and social issues. Its support has increased steadily, now standing at 26%, ahead of the CDU/CSU (24%). The AfD positions itself as a strong critic of the current coalition's policies and promises stricter migration controls and more nationalist-oriented economic policies, which resonate with a significant segment of the electorate frustrated by the government’s perceived inefficacy.
Public trust in the AfD’s ability to address Germany’s challenges has risen to 12%, higher than the SPD’s 7%, though still far behind overall confidence levels.
In summary, the Merz government’s first 100 days have been marked by internal coalition tensions mainly over migration policy, social welfare, energy transition, and political disagreements, resulting in decreased approval for both the Chancellor and the coalition. Meanwhile, the AfD opposition is gaining popularity by exploiting these government weaknesses, posing a significant challenge to the ruling parties.
[1] Forsa and Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland report [2] Polls by Insa, Emnid, and Forsa [3] The Local Germany [4] Deutsche Welle [5] Der Spiegel
- The Commission, in its role as a consultative body, has also been engaged in discussions regarding the draft directive on the protection of employees against risks related to exposure to carcinogens, a pressing issue in the context of war-and-conflicts-induced migration and policy-and-legislation changes.
- Despite the Merz government's struggles with internal disputes and decreasing public approval, its stance on migration policies, such as the proposed crackdown on irregular migration, has caught the attention of general-news media and international bodies, including discussions on workplace safety in migration contexts.
- As the Merz government grapples with its first 100 days, critics and political opponentsivoices have intensified, questioning the government's commitment to addressing pressing issues like energy transition, social welfare, and migration, while some have pointed to the role of politics in shaping policies and the need for transparent, collaborative decision-making processes, as seen in the Commission's involvement in legislative matters.
