Germany: Difficult first year for Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Merz faces low approval, coalition disputes and industry frustration as his government struggles to deliver promised reforms and revive Germany’s weak economy.
- Marking his one-year anniversary, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces an intensifying coalition crisis with just 15 percent voter approval and internal government infighting escalating.
- Elected on May 6, 2025, as Germany's 10th chancellor, Merz leads an unwieldy coalition of the Christian Democrats , the Christian Social Union , and the Social Democrats .
- Peter Leibinger, head of the Federation of German Industries, said last week, "After a year, business is deeply unsettled," reflecting industrial frustration with the stagnant economy.
- President Donald Trump responded to Merz's criticism of US strategy in Iran by announcing the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, deepening bilateral tensions.
- With the far-right party Alternative for Germany gaining popularity, Merz faces uncertainty about his coalition's longevity; asked about lasting until 2029, he responded, "Nobody can guarantee anything.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Friedrich Merz's first steps as German chancellor proved to be a stumble, and a year later he is still struggling to find his footing at the helm of Europe's biggest economy and most populous country, with support at an all-time low as the far right waits for an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Since one year in office, but the approval values are in the basement according to the last survey: Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing difficult times. Our question of the day of 6 May is: "One year Chancellor Merz: Is Germany on the right track?" How has Germany changed since Friedrich Merz took office? Do you see positive developments or do you think the negative outweighs them? What should change and what can stay like it is?Share …
Friedrich Merz has been head of the black and red government coalition in Berlin for one year.
Merz marks a bitter first year as Chancellor
A year on from the day he became the first German leader to need a second Bundestag vote to take office, Merz has presided over a stagnant economy, a coalition at war with itself and the deepest crisis in transatlantic relations. Source
After barely a year in power, Friedrich Merz is the least popular German Chancellor ever. Crises at home and abroad are putting his coalition under immense strain. He does not have immediate solutions at hand. The party benefiting most from this: the radical right-wing AfD.
Friedrich Merz has been ruling Germany for a year. The United Arab Emirates are moving into the crosshairs of Tehran. And a great football spectacle awaits us. That is the situation on Wednesday morning.
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- 38% of the sources lean Right
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