Where does Germany stand after a year of Merz?
Friedrich Merz has headed Berlin's Black-Red ruling coalition for a year now. Promising rapid reforms, the Chancellor deliberately sought to set himself apart from the previous government, the so-called 'traffic-light' coalition, which appeared to be stuck in a rut. Europe's press debates to what extent he has fulfilled the high expectations in his first year and what tasks lie ahead.
The boss should keep the team together
Der Standard sums up the situation:
“On the one hand, the Chancellor is grappling with global political problems for which he is not to blame. The war in Ukraine rages on. Germany, too, is feeling the effects of the war in Iran – the government has had to intervene to bring down fuel prices. Yet much of the discontent within the coalition is home-grown. The CDU/CSU and the SPD still haven't really found common ground but are doomed to succeed because the AfD is breathing down their necks. As the second year of its term in government begins, the coalition needs to finally implement the major reforms it promised – preferably without open disputes. Merz is the leader. It's up to him to ensure this happens.”
Difficult marriage of convenience
To Vima writes about Merz:
“He knows full well that the 'marriage' with the SPD was neither entered into out of love nor as an arranged union. There was 'no alternative', as Merkel astutely phrased it back in 2010. ... Today, 13 years after its founding, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is leading the polls. If the governing coalition under Merz fails, the country will fall into the hands of the far right. ... So the Chancellor is condemned to dance the dance of power with the SPD to the bitter end. Hopefully it won't be a fiery Argentine tango, but a slow waltz.”
Keep things civil
The Frankfurter Rundschau appeals to both parties:
“Chancellor Friedrich Merz not only needs to be mindful of the impact of his speech right down to his choice of words. He also needs to put more emphasis on common ground instead of scaring people or even pitting them against one another with his comments [about the impact of migration] on the urban landscape, or the state pension. And the SPD could do with toning down its often harsh rhetoric towards its coalition partner and stop retaliating every time it feels provoked. If they don't get this under control, they will be playing into the hands of the far right.”
AfD waiting in the wings
Delfi sees a mixed bag:
“You can't say that everything is bad. The armed forces, which were in a poor state, are being rebuilt, and uncontrolled migration has been curbed. ... Merz seems to have learned not to make empty promises again. Instead of talking about major reforms he now speaks of 'smaller steps'. ... Yet as well as reform, he also need to close the emotional gap between the government and society. ... If this coalition fails to bring about genuine change, the AfD could ultimately end up taking over.”
Still no sign of the autumn of reform
The government needs to get a move on, De Standaard urges:
“There is no shortage of ambition. ... Yet, as is so often the case with Merz, deeds take a long time to follow words. He has been struggling to keep his coalition afloat for an entire year now, and now it's mired in crisis. After the numerous deadlocks and the collapse of Olaf Scholz's 'traffic light' coalition, the black-red coalition was determined to be a reform government. Merz even promised that autumn 2025 would be an 'autumn of reforms'. Seasons have come and gone, yet we're still waiting for the big reforms.”