Proposed Commission Directive Aligning Food Labeling Laws Across Member States
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Holds Late-Night Meeting Amid Coalition Challenges
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz found himself in a late-night huddle with his closest allies, as the 100th day of his chancellorship approached. The meeting, which lasted past midnight, took place at the Chancellery and was held in the context of the ongoing coalition government between the CDU and the SPD.
The discussions centred around managing the coalition dynamics with the SPD, cooperation within the coalition, and addressing public sentiment. The meeting was called to address the controversy surrounding the failed judicial appointment and the contentious decision to impose a partial arms export ban to Israel.
Participants in the meeting included CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien, Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer, Agriculture State Secretary Silvia Breher, and North Rhine-Westphalia's Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann. The Chancellor exchanged views with some people from his leadership circle while preparing for the video conferences he was due to have with US President Donald Trump and others regarding Ukraine.
The meeting, held at 9:00 PM, did not result in any immediate public announcements or decisions. However, it underscored the intensity of the coordination within Merz’s leadership circle as they navigate the challenges of coalition management and address public sentiment.
The meeting was initially reported by the "Bild" newspaper. As Merz’s first 100 days in office draw to a close, his leadership circle has been actively engaged in managing both the coalition dynamics with the SPD and addressing public sentiment, amid significant challenges. Merz faced internal criticism within his own conservative ranks, particularly over his unilateral decision to suspend weapons exports to Israel during the Gaza conflict.
Regarding coalition relations, the SPD, CDU, Greens, and FDP have refused to form a federal coalition including the far-right BSW party, reflecting careful coalition management and political sensitivities. Merz attempted to push migration and homeland security initiatives that sought SPD and Green support but faced rejection from these parties, while controversially obtaining votes from AfD lawmakers, sparking widespread protests and criticism from across the political spectrum and civil society. Public opinion on Merz’s approach appears divided, with polling showing roughly equal approval and criticism, without major shifts in either direction.
On the international front, Merz has remained heavily engaged, notably inviting Ukrainian President Zelensky to Berlin for talks and coordinating with European and US leaders ahead of the Trump-Putin summit, underscoring his focus on EU security and the Ukraine war.
In summary, Merz’s first 100 days have involved intense coordination within his leadership circle on coalition challenges—especially managing relations with the SPD—and highly sensitive decisions marked by mixed public and political reactions. His government continues to grapple with balancing internal party cohesion, coalition cooperation, and public opinion amid major international and domestic issues.
Discussions during the late-night meeting, held by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, centered around politics, policy-and-legislation, and general-news topics such as coalition dynamics with the SPD, managing public sentiment, and addressing controversies like the failed judicial appointment and the arms export ban to Israel. The meeting also covered international matters like the Ukraine war and upcoming talks with US President Donald Trump.
While the meeting did not result in immediate decisions or announcements, it underscored the war-and-conflicts-related challenges that Merz's leadership circle is navigating, given the contentious coalition management and public sentiment. This is evident in the coalition's refusal to form a federal coalition with the far-right BSW party and the controversies surrounding migration and homeland security initiatives.
