100 days of Chancellor Merz: up to the job?
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and his government have been in office for 100 days. Expectations for the coalition between the CDU/CSU and SPD were very high at the start. Commentators take stock of the chancellor's performance so far.
The chancellor has yet to deliver
Merz has failed to address many of his election promises, Kleine Zeitung notes:
“Fewer migrants, more economic growth, a more frugal yet secure social welfare system, perfect infrastructure - all without new debt. So far the chancellor has been unable or unwilling to deliver anything on any of these issues. The consequence is poor poll ratings - he lags far behind Scholz or Merkel after their first 100 days. ... As a result, Merz is now failing on his most important promise: to keep the AfD in check. The far-right party has even overtaken the CDU/CSU.”
Fearful protector of the status quo
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung sees a lack of reforms and draws parallels with the previous government under Olaf Scholz:
“Now, a hundred days after taking office, the current government has exhausted itself. And one thing is clear: left-wing politics is alive and kicking in Germany - in fact, just as much so as under the previous government. The black-red [Christian Democrat/Social Democrat] government is essentially acting like a fearful protector of the status quo. There is little sign of the will to reform that was once so present. Instead of cutting back on the welfare state, the government is cementing an increasingly dilapidated system and adding to a gigantic mountain of debt in the process. Instead of taking measures to stimulate the economy it is sedating it with subsidies.”
A masterpiece of political suicide
The AfD is the big beneficiary here, says The Spectator:
“What we are witnessing is not mere political incompetence. It is a masterclass in how to gift-wrap a democracy for populists while maintaining the earnest conviction that one is defending it. ... Merz positioned himself as the saviour who would restore conservative credibility after years of Merkelian drift. Instead, he has revealed himself as just another spineless politician, willing to sacrifice principle for the illusion of power. His first 100 days have not been a failure - they have been something far more dangerous, a masterpiece of political suicide disguised as governance. The AfD could scarcely have scripted it better themselves. ”
He needs to take charge
Given the state of the coalition, Die Welt questions whether a minority government wouldn't actually be the better option:
“In such a government, the CDU/CSU would have to seek a new majority in parliament on every issue. It rejected this option because the AfD would potentially be involved in the creation of sensible laws. Instead, they preferred to put themselves at the mercy of the Social Democrats, for better or worse. The impact: on Tuesday, the AfD once again overtook the CDU/CSU in the polls. Right now the CDU/CSU looks like the junior partner in the government. Merz must take charge of the coalition if he doesn't want to fail.”
Performing well internationally - problems at home
De Volkskrant paints a mixed picture:
“Merz has a much stronger presence in Europe than his predecessor Olaf Scholz, including on the crucial issue of Ukraine. He is also able to maintain communication with US President Donald Trump. ... Merz broke a German taboo by halting the delivery of certain weapons to Israel. Germany is clearly beginning to question its unconditional support for the Jewish state. ... Merz's low poll ratings are partly due to a lack of charisma and charm. More important, however, is the fragmented political landscape in Germany.”