Following a hectic initial 100 days, Germany's Merz encounters domestic unrest
After taking the reins as German Chancellor in May 2025, Friedrich Merz, a right-wing conservative, has steered the country with a focus on immigration crackdown, assertive foreign policy, and coalition management challenges.
In the realm of immigration, Merz has taken a tougher stance than his predecessor, Angela Merkel. He endorses restrictive policies, such as the "Influx Limitation Act," which aims to restrict family reunions for rejected asylum seekers and expand federal police powers for expedited deportations. This shift has stirred controversy, with protests and criticism from Merkel and Scholz, who view Merz's stance as a breach of political promises and a potential boon for the far-right AfD.
Regarding foreign policy, Merz has emphasized Germany's role on the global stage, earning the nickname “foreign chancellor.” He has prioritized strengthening ties with allies, including a high-profile visit to Kyiv to support Ukraine and engagement with former US President Donald Trump. However, his foreign policy has also sparked debate; for instance, he initially praised Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets but controversially later froze arms exports to Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
In terms of coalition conflicts, Merz's government, a coalition between the CDU/CSU and the SPD, has faced internal strife. His right-wing positions have alienated some SPD members who feel sidelined, creating frictions within the coalition. The coalition's biggest crisis came last month over the nomination of a judge, with the CDU/CSU withdrawing support for SPD nominee Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf.
Merz's personal approval rating remains modest, with polls indicating low approval ratings amid these challenges. Despite this, Merz has pressed for change, particularly in response to transatlantic turbulence caused by US President Donald Trump.
As Merz's tenure unfolds, he continues to navigate the complexities of coalition politics, immigration policy, and foreign policy, shaping Germany's future in a conservative hardline manner.
- In line with his focus on immigration, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration has proposed the "Influx Limitation Act," a policy intended to limit family reunions for rejected asylum seekers and expand federal police powers for expedited deportations.
- Merz's foreign policy, known as his assertive approach, has been debated in the realm of war-and-conflicts and politics, with instances like his initial praise for Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets and his controversial decision to freeze arms exports to Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
- The general-news landscape in Germany has been filled with stories about the strains within Merz's coalition, particularly over the nomination of a judge, with the coalition's biggest crisis occurring last month over the nomination of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, resulting in the CDU/CSU withdrawing support for her.
