Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has indicated a relaxed approach to parliamentary discipline amidst recent turbulence surrounding the failed election of a Federal Constitutional Court judge and the narrow majority held by the CDU/SPD coalition in the Bundestag.
During a traditional pre-summer recess press conference in Berlin on Friday, Merz stated that individual lawmakers’ decisions should be guided by conscience. “If a member of parliament says this is a matter of conscience for me, then it is a matter of conscience” he said. He extended this principle beyond the recent judicial election, asserting it applies to “all decisions.
Merz declined to provide detailed responses to questions concerning the postponed Constitutional Court election, stating that “everything has already been said” on the matter. He confirmed that discussions on the issue will continue between coalition partners in the coming weeks, expressing confidence in the ability of both factions to address the situation constructively.
The coalition government currently holds 328 seats in the Bundestag, maintaining a slim majority of 13 votes. This fragility was previously highlighted during Merz’s own election as Chancellor, which required a second round of voting.
Overall, Merz emphasized a commitment to a “normal working relationship” between the SPD and the Union factions. He added that the coalition will strive to navigate challenging circumstances with fairness and partnership.