Berlin again, the Germans again — Why is Germany in turmoil?

The winds on Germany’s political scene have begun blowing in a completely different direction. The country’s current Chancellor Friedrich Merz is experiencing perhaps the most difficult days of his political career. Even opposition BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht claims that Merz will no longer be in office by Christmas.

But how did things reach this point?

The seat is beginning to wobble...

It all began when the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Merz, suffered a heavy defeat in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt. The setback created such a significant political wave domestically that the chancellor had to postpone his planned trip to New York for the UN General Assembly and his attendance at the presentation ceremony of the prestigious Henry Kissinger Prize. Merz’s cancellation of the UN trip amid mounting domestic political pressure has also been reported by Reuters.

According to Bloomberg, dissatisfaction with Merz within the party has also become more open. Party members directly blame the chancellor for the sharp decline in the party’s ratings. The figures are striking: Merz’s approval among the public has fallen to one of the lowest levels recorded for a German chancellor.

Rising petrol and everyday consumer prices, as well as the economic downturn, are further increasing public dissatisfaction. The governing party is also facing difficult prospects in the upcoming elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. According to the latest YouGov poll, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the most popular political force in the country, with 29% support, while Merz’s CDU/CSU bloc stands at 18%.

Will Merz leave voluntarily, or will he be forced out?

According to experts, it appears unlikely that Merz will resign voluntarily. He is known as a highly determined politician. However, his party colleagues could force him to step down simply by replacing the chancellor, without holding an early parliamentary election.

Analysts believe that another poor result in the Berlin elections could become a decisive setback for Merz. The fact that many figures within the party are already distancing themselves from him is also viewed as one indication of this possibility. Current reporting likewise points to growing internal pressure on Merz following the Saxony-Anhalt result.

The Ukraine factor and Europe’s “right-wing” wave

One of the main factors affecting Merz’s declining ratings is foreign policy. Germany is currently one of the European countries providing the most support to Ukraine. Although Merz has said that “we will not take a single step back from this course,” some voters in Germany reportedly see this as putting the country’s own interests in the background.

Parties such as the AfD, meanwhile, advocate a completely different approach: restoring relations with Russia, purchasing cheaper oil and gas, and ending military assistance to Ukraine. It is reported that these calls are becoming increasingly attractive to German voters facing economic difficulties.

The situation indicates that domestic economic difficulties and choices over foreign policy have placed Merz’s political future under significant scrutiny. The coming weeks could be particularly tense for Berlin.

Giymat Mahir