US EditionFriedrich Merz’s stumbling start
- Friedrich Merz became Germany's chancellor on May 6, 2025, after a rare second secret parliamentary vote in Berlin secured his election.
- Merz failed to achieve a majority in the first round due to dissent within his own CDU/CSU party and coalition allies, an unprecedented event since 1949.
- His coalition faces severe challenges including economic stagnation, industrial crisis, energy deficits, polarized politics, and rising opposition strength from Alternative for Germany .
- In the second vote, Merz received 325 votes for and 289 against, while 56% of citizens doubted he was the best chancellor choice and only 48% approved the coalition agreement.
- This difficult start highlights serious instability within Merz’s coalition and suggests potential strengthening of opposition forces like the AfD ahead.
23 Articles
23 Articles
"Worse than failed predecessors": Merz's government is breaking anti-records: EADaily
EADaily, May 11th, 2025. The level of trust in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the new government is lower than in the "traffic light" coalition of Olaf Scholz at the start of its work, the Bild tabloid writes with reference to the results of a survey by the INZA institute.
From the ‘Merkelians’ to the right: the five enemies of Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz has the enemies at home and they can complicate his life. The new German chancellor checked this week, when he failed in the first round of the investiture in the Bundestag and did not reach the 316 votes required. By surprise, 18 deputies of their own majority voted against or abstained and put their aspirations at risk. It had never happened. Continue reading
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- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
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