Merz: Germany faces 'crisis of confidence in democracy'

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), declared that the country is grappling with a "crisis of confidence in democracy." Speaking in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF, Merz emphasized that combating this issue is a responsibility shared by all democratic parties, not solely the government.

Merz voiced particular concern over the tone of recent plenary sessions in the Bundestag, Germany's federal parliament. While accustomed to sharp rhetoric from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Left Party, he noted a worrying shift, even among the Greens. "You can have clear disagreements, I also made harsh attacks on the government as head of the opposition. But you have to watch the tone," Merz stated, adding that the recent session was "not good advertising for democracy."

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We generally have a crisis of confidence in democracy. And combating it is not just a matter for the government but for all democratic parties.

His remarks come as opinion polls reflect widespread dissatisfaction. According to ZDF's Politbarometer, 68% of Germans are unhappy with the government's performance, and 70% disapprove of Merz's work. The polls also indicate a significant surge for the AfD, which, if elections were held now, would emerge as the strongest party with 27% of the vote. The CDU/CSU bloc trails at 23%, followed by the Greens (14%), the Left Party (13%), and the Social Democrats (12%).

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I admit that I left the last Bundestag plenary session concerned about the tone. We are already used to it with the AfD and the Left Party. But in the meantime, you also feel it among the Greens. You can have clear disagreements, I also made harsh attacks on the government as head of the opposition. But you have to watch the tone.

These figures highlight the electoral challenges facing Merz's CDU and the broader governing coalition. The upcoming regional elections in September in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Berlin are seen as crucial tests. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is projected to potentially achieve an absolute majority, which could force the CDU into an uncomfortable position of seeking cooperation with the Left Party, a move contrary to the CDU's principle of not cooperating with either the AfD or the Left.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while the AfD may be the leading party, the incumbent Social Democrat premier, Manuela Schwesig, might still be able to form a government with the support of the Left and the Greens. Berlin's political landscape also appears volatile, with current polls suggesting the ruling CDU-SPD coalition may lose its majority, potentially paving the way for a new governing alliance.

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That last plenary session was not good advertising for democracy.