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German business group warns Merz coalition risks collapse amid infighting
🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

German business group warns Merz coalition risks collapse amid infighting

From Der Spiegel · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The German Mittelstand association warns Chancellor Merz that coalition infighting risks breaking up the government.
  • BVMW chief Christoph Ahlhaus called for Merz to show stronger leadership, citing stalled reforms and poor communication.
  • The SPD also cautioned against new fundamental debates, emphasizing the need to implement agreed-upon reforms.

The German government faces renewed pressure as the summer break ends, with the Mittelstand association BVMW warning Chancellor Friedrich Merz that continued coalition infighting could fracture the ruling alliance. Christoph Ahlhaus, head of the BVMW, urged Merz to assert stronger leadership within the coalition, arguing that the constant "picking apart" of crucial reforms, such as those concerning pensions and healthcare, is destroying public and economic trust.

Through the picking apart of important reforms – be it on pensions at 63 or in the healthcare sector – the trust of citizens and the economy is being completely destroyed.

— Christoph AhlhausHead of the BVMW, warning about the consequences of coalition infighting.

Ahlhaus criticized the government's communication strategy, stating that proposals are often leaked before internal consensus is reached. "This is worse than having no ideas at all because it openly presents the lack of direction to the people," he told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung." He also called on Merz to halt discussions about raising the value-added tax.

If the Chancellor does not find his way back to decisive, clear leadership very quickly with the end of the summer break, the coalition threatens to fall apart in the medium term in one way or another.

— Christoph AhlhausWarning about the potential collapse of the government coalition.

The Chancellor's ability to regain momentum with his coalition is seen as critical for his own future. Upcoming meetings, including a party leadership session and a cabinet retreat, will likely address the looming state elections, particularly in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD is gaining traction.

Proposals are constantly being blown into the public domain that are not even agreed upon internally by those involved.

— Christoph AhlhausCriticizing the government's communication management.

Meanwhile, the SPD's parliamentary managing director, Dirk Wiese, echoed concerns about internal debates, urging the coalition to focus on implementing agreements made in July. "People rightly expect results," Wiese stated, emphasizing the need for concrete actions rather than renewed fundamental discussions.

This is worse than having no ideas at all because it openly presents the lack of direction to the people.

— Christoph AhlhausOn the government's communication strategy regarding reforms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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