Merz wants to move forward with Germany and Europe, but stands still for a while

What about the leadership of Friedrich Merz? The leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and upcoming Chancellor likes to present himself as the strong, European leader of a decisive Germany. But since his party won the national elections of February 23, little can be seen from the promises.

Europe is looking at Germany as a leader, but currently Germany only has a cabinet without a mandate. Until the new reign starts on 7 May, Germany is in the twilight zone of the change of power. Current Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has little to say, and that applies to Merz as long as he is not officially appointed.

Those parties presented one two weeks ago coalition agreement For the next four years. That does not offer much guidance: everything is subject to the finances, and since the presentation the parties openly oppose important topics.

For example, the increase in the minimum wage to 15 euros per hour, in the coalition agreement labeled as ‘accessible’ before 2026, is already under discussion. An independent committee will make a recommendation for the level of the minimum wage. The future cabinet must commit to 15 euros per hour regardless of the outcome, says SPD partisse secretary Matthias Miersch. Against the German newspaper Bild Merz said that the increase « may go that way in 2026 or 2027, but that nothing is certain.

Other promises also become little concrete in the agreement. For example, tax reduction for low and middle incomes depends on the budget. SPD party chairman Lars Klingbeil even hints publicly tax increases – A nightmare for CDU and CSU.

Taurus missiles

There is also uncertainty about foreign policy. Where Merz was previously considered an advocate for the delivery of Taurus racks to Ukraine, it now also appears to be conditional. First agreements must be made with the European partners, Merz said in an interview With broadcaster Ard. Other European countries are already sending similar rockets, but they have a smaller reach than the Taurus. Merz is still willing to send the missiles, but keeps a blow around the arm to meet the hesitant coalition partner SPD.

Current Federal Chancellor Scholz stopped deliveries, and his party is still reluctant. There are good arguments for it, but also good arguments, said current and probably future Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) At a party meeting in Hanover. The taurus rocket is not mentioned in the coalition agreement.

Merz ‘clear language and solid promises make way for a coalition agreement full of mits and buts

Victories

In the field of migration, which grew the most important theme of the elections during a campaign plagued by attacks, Merz has won victories. A large part of the proposals in his before the elections submitted motion For stricter migration policy, the agreement is included.

Nevertheless, disagreement has already arisen in that area: the agreement states that Germany will end the voluntary admission of ‘vulnerable’ Afghan refugees (Afghans worked for Germany, journalists, critics of the regime). The flights have since been suspended, but 2,600 Afghans would still be collected through this scheme. They are largely waiting in Pakistan. The SPD wants to keep the promise and let them come to Germany. The CDU doesn’t want that.

The halt, just after the presentation of the agreement, shows how heavy – or light – actually weigh the words from the agreement. Merz ‘clear language and strong promises during the election campaign make way for a conditional coalition agreement full of mits and buts.

Merz already started the coalition negotiations with a broken promise: even before there was an agreement, SPD and CDU/CSU last month lead a constitutional amendment by the Bundestag that enables the government to make billion -dollar debts. Previously, Merz was fervent opponent of such a relaxation.

Afd’s greatest

Merz likes to act as a decisive leader, but does not do much honor that self -chosen image does not do so with the many turns. Confidence in him suffers: the radical-right party Alternative Für Deutschland (AfD) is rising in the polls, while his CDU drops. AfD finished second in the elections, with 20.8 percent of the votes compared to 28.5 percent for CDU.

Earlier this month, Ipsos AfD already gave as the largest party in Germany, in other polls it shared that place with CDU. After the Easter weekend, AfD rose to the largest party in a second poll, by 26 percent for AfD and 25 percent for CDU/CSU.

It is precisely to keep that party out of the door, both SPD and the Union, which are ideologically far apart, have had to make substantial concessions. They were convicted of each other: the alternative to CDU/CSU was a coalition with AfD, which Merz excluded in the campaign (just like almost all other parties). The broken promises prefer to present both SPD and the Union as taking responsibility.

With that, Germany seems to have started in a similar situation before the new cabinet has ended up as before the elections: hostage by parties with incompatible differences. The previous government, consisting of SPD, FDP and De Groenen, fell because the parties could not agree on anything.

From the Pole (political revolution), which CDU liked to spoke in the campaign, is not much noticeable. The coalition agreement provides little guidance, and so the freshly arrested cabinet must make it clear from 7 May: Germany is indeed Wieder Nach Vorne (forward again), as the union election slate was, or is it standing still?

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