Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) delivered a nuanced defense of the current governing coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at the CSU party conference in Munich, acknowledging the need for deep reform within the German state while simultaneously signaling a sharper focus on national interests. While praising the stability of the “House of the Federal Republic” Merz emphasized a pressing need for fundamental modernization and renovation, a process he asserted would be achieved “with and through” the SPD.
The Chancellor’s remarks appeared intended to quell rumblings within his own party, often critical of the coalition’s compromises and perceived weakness. Merz pivoted away from the immediate focus on securing the projected “halt line” within the German pension system – a key battleground between the coalition partners – arguing that the broader defense of core democratic values like freedom, peace, the rule of law and liberalism should be the paramount concern.
“What truly matters is not whether we manage to maintain the stability of our pension system for a year more or a year less” Merz stated, “but whether we defend the foundations of our society”. This sentiment underscored a perceived urgency, highlighting a “tectonic shift” in global power dynamics and advocating for Germany to more forcefully pursue its own interests on the international stage.
Beyond internal coalition dynamics, Merz’s speech also contained a strong conservative agenda. He voiced demands for reduced EU regulation, tax cuts and a significant reduction in bureaucratic hurdles. The Chancellor outlined a vision for a dramatically modernized Germany by the end of this electoral term, promising an unprecedented acceleration in digitalization and overall modernization – a pledge likely designed to appeal to both conservative and business-oriented voters. However, critics are likely to question how such ambitious goals can be achieved while navigating the complexities of a coalition government often characterized by divergent priorities.