Merz's promise was fulfilled, and we should now experience something
In August 2022, the Schwarz-Rot coalition, led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, faced a complex array of challenges and contentious issues.
Migration and Border Controls
The government, under the conservative coalition including Interior Minister Dobrindt, intensified border checks and denied entry to irregular migrants, even those seeking asylum. This policy, which contradicts Germany's traditional asylum regulations and the Schengen Agreement on open borders, has faced backlash nationally and from neighbouring countries. The government is also pursuing more deportations to conflict-prone countries like Afghanistan and Syria, raising human rights concerns.
Refugee and Deportation Policies
Despite suspending deportations to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, Germany began sending some Afghan refugees back in mid-2022 and considered increasing deportations, including controversial "technical contacts" with the Taliban for this purpose. This policy has drawn criticism as it normalizes the security situation in Afghanistan and contradicts promises of protection to vulnerable groups, especially women.
Humanitarian Assistance
Germany suspended a program providing humanitarian support to Russians and Belarusians resisting authoritarian regimes. There were calls to resume such assistance to maintain support for political resistance against the Russian government, with relatively small numbers of beneficiaries but significant political symbolism.
COVID-19 Pandemic Management
In August 2022, the government was preparing anti-pandemic measures for the coming months, building on earlier experiences with vaccination campaigns and partial mandates. However, legislative setbacks and public legal challenges against certain COVID-19 restrictions reflected hesitancy and political division surrounding pandemic control.
Governing Challenges
The problems facing the coalition are more complex and governing has become even more difficult. The implementation of the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) in national law is not yet ready for decision. The SPD poses a problem for Friedrich Merz, with many MPs in the faction angry about the migration policy not aligning with their ideas. The CSU learned about the stoppage of weapons deliveries to Israel from the media.
The current RTL/ntv Trendbarometer indicates a low satisfaction with Merz's work, and his image among Germans has worsened since the election. Communication within the coalition was not smooth during the dispute over the electricity tax and before the failed judge election in the Bundestag.
Despite these challenges, the coalition has passed two budgets, one for 2025 and one for 2026. The coalition has also successfully anchored an opening of the debt brake for defense spending in the Basic Law and set up a special fund to repair the country's infrastructure. An "investment booster" has completed the parliamentary process, offering tax cuts and improved depreciation opportunities for companies.
However, the opening of the debt brake and the special fund were a drastic change of course for the Union and for Merz personally, potentially a breach of promise. The SPD also has a memory of the "black and blue hell week of the chancellor candidate," referring to Merz's potential acceptance of a joint majority with the AfD. Friedrich Merz is only a Scholz successor, indicating less support compared to the Union overall.
In conclusion, the Schwarz-Rot coalition, led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, faces a challenging political landscape as they navigate migration and border control policies, refugee and deportation policies, humanitarian assistance, and COVID-19 pandemic management. The coalition's successes, such as the passing of budgets and the implementation of the investment booster, are overshadowed by internal issues within the CDU and CSU, communication difficulties, and a lack of public support for Merz's performance.
The Schwarz-Rot coalition, led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is not only grappling with complex issues related to migration, border control, refugee, and deportation policies, but also facing criticism for their approach to humanitarian assistance and COVID-19 pandemic management. These contentious issues, combined with internal party disputes and a decrease in public support for Merz, have made governing more difficult and politically divisive. Furthermore, the Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, adding another layer of complexity to the coalition's agenda.
