Chancellor trapped: Growing desire to exit the coalition
2025 proved challenging for democracy globally. In the United States, Donald Trump continues undermining democratic institutions. Similarly, established European democracies face unprecedented political pressures and institutional challenges.
Democracy faces significant threats worldwide in 2025. Trump's actions in America endanger democratic norms, while European democracies struggle with populist movements and institutional pressures. Germany's political situation is particularly concerning.
The AfD party has fundamentally altered the political landscape, challenging the traditional center-right and center-left balance. Chancellor Merz leads a struggling coalition government with declining approval ratings and internal tensions.
The government struggles to fulfill campaign promises while managing external crises including the Ukraine war, Russian tensions, and economic pressures from China. The political system operates as a zero-sum game, preventing effective governance and strengthening the AfD. Historical parallels with Weimar Germany raise concerns about democratic stability.
CDU leadership debates whether to abandon the coalition for a minority government, though this presents practical challenges. Merz recognizes that adopting AfD-like positions on migration is ineffective and instead emphasizes fundamental policy differences. Germany faces a critical political moment where traditional democratic consensus is eroding.
This article has been summarized and translated using AI to help you practice reading and comprehension. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may be lost in translation.