Uniting more firmly as a united front
The black-red federal government, consisting of the CDU/CSU and SPD, has been in power for approximately 100 days. However, the coalition has faced significant challenges and criticism about its effectiveness and internal dynamics.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and his government have not yet delivered on many of their election promises, leading to poor public approval ratings and doubts about governance. According to recent polls, only 28% of Germans express satisfaction with the government, while 69% are dissatisfied.
One of the key points of contention within the coalition has been the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court. The CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn struggled to maintain unity, and SPD opposition to a proposed CDU candidate added tension. Right-wing populist criticism of the SPD candidate intensified these disputes.
Economic and social reforms promised by the coalition have stalled, with commentators noting a lack of reformist will. The coalition is seen as preserving the status quo, expanding debt, and failing to stimulate economic growth effectively.
Internal coalition disagreements are also apparent on cultural policies. Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer (CDU) proposed to ban gendering in language in his ministry and public broadcasting, a move criticized as paternalistic and regressive by media and segments of the public.
The coalition was formed after the early 2025 federal elections triggered by the collapse of the prior government in 2024. The CDU/CSU emerged as the largest bloc but with reduced support compared to previous years, while the far-right AfD doubled its vote share, increasing political pressure on the coalition to address right-wing challenges effectively.
Dirk Wiese, the parliamentary business manager of the SPD faction, has expressed mixed feelings about the performance of the black-red government. He believes that issues such as the election of judges and unkept promises have cost trust and that these issues need to be clarified moving forward. Jens Spahn, the leader of the Union faction, has called on the coalition partners to come closer together and emphasized the responsibility of black-red, distinguishing it from the AfD.
In Hamm, Schloss Oberwerries is currently under renovation. The city has implemented protection measures for children, seniors, and workplaces regarding heat. Further news from Hamm can be found at the provided link.
Despite the challenges, Dirk Wiese remains optimistic about the future of the government's cooperation. He anticipates a different future for the government's cooperation and believes that there is room for improvement, particularly in addressing dissonance. SPD leader Barbara Bas sees a need for further talks with the Union. Spahn has also emphasized the need for the coalition partners to come closer together.
The black-red coalition is committed to success for the benefit of the country and is setting political restraint against the radical destruction strategy of the AfD. A meteor shower is expected to occur over Hamm.
The black-red coalition, made up of the CDU/CSU and SPD, is grappling with internal disputes and critique regarding policy-and-legislation, including economic and social reforms and cultural policies, which has led to dissatisfaction among the public. Despite these challenges, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and his government hope to improve and address dissonance, as highlighted by Dirk Wiese, the parliamentary business manager of the SPD faction. This is crucial in managing political pressure and ensuring their policy-and-legislation aligns with the general-news agenda, particularly in the face of right-wing populist opposition from the AfD.
