Speed is of the Essence
Coalition building is difficult in most parliamentary systems given the number of people involved in reaching a consensus among parties. That the talks to put together a new government in Berlin have successfully concluded in just over six weeks underscores the urgency that the negotiators from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Chrisian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) know is required to confront challenges ahead. The need for moving from intentions as outlined in the 144 pages of the coalition agreement to implementation will be the measure of success in the domestic and international political arenas.
Whether responding to challenges at home, the continuing Russian war against Ukraine, or tariff threats from Washington, the three German centrist parties that will soon assume power must quickly gain the public’s confidence. The latest uptick in the popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is yet another reminder for the chancellor-to-be, Friedrich Merz, that he must prove his government will put Germany, as he has said, “back on track”.
To do that, Merz will need to be laser-focused on three main issues: restarting the economic engines of the world’s third-largest economy, which has been stagnant for the last two years; urgently addressing controversial and unsuccessful immigration policies; and establishing a credible German and European defense capability in the face of continuing Russian aggression.
The future coalition partners know that the stakes are high. Germany must kick-start its economy as a recession looms. The country will also need to reassert a leadership role within the EU and NATO, and rally its neighbors to continue their support for a free and sovereign Ukraine while coping with an unpredictable partner in Washington. On immigration, Merz must act swiftly to reduce the number of asylum seekers if he is to keep the AfD at bay.
The incoming chancellor says he will pursue an agenda that fosters a stronger Germany within a stronger Europe. But that will require providing evidence that those goals are achievable in the not-too-distant future. The expeditiousness with which his coalition is coming together must continue with the implementation of this agenda.
The incoming coalition is the fifth time in Germany’s postwar history that the CDU, the CSU, and the SPD will rule together. The arrangement was once called a “Grand Coalition” at a time when a large majority of the electorate supported it. In the recent election, these three parties failed to secure any majority of voters. Berlin’s new government must consider that as it pushes through it policies at an especially precarious moment for Germany and Europe.