Merz’s First 100 Days: Struggles and Political Turmoil in Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has concluded his first 100 days in office, a period marked more by political challenges than triumphs. Originally scheduled to spend this milestone at his holiday home overlooking Tegernsee in Bavaria, Merz found himself in Berlin instead, participating in what his spokesperson described as a non-crisis meeting. The reality, however, reflects a coalition facing significant difficulties, including discontent among partners and alarming polling numbers.

As of now, less than one in three Germans express satisfaction with the performance of Merz’s coalition, led by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Current polls indicate that the CDU is trailing behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has garnered approximately 26 percent support. This situation highlights the political turbulence surrounding Merz, who assumed power only after a contentious second vote on May 6, 2025, following a revolt within his party’s ranks.

The CDU’s internal conflicts have become increasingly apparent. Instead of adhering to the promise of fiscal consolidation made during February’s election campaign, Merz opted to endorse plans to borrow at least €100 billion for infrastructure and defense initiatives. This decision has not sat well with party members, leading to further dissent. Just weeks after his initial vote, CDU rebels blocked a nominee from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) for a constitutional court position, a move that caught many in the Bundestag off guard and indicated a deeper fracture within the coalition.

Political analysts have noted a troubling trend for Merz. The mismanagement of critical parliamentary votes has raised questions about his leadership capabilities. As one journalist quipped, “to fumble one key parliamentary vote is bad luck; to fumble two seems careless.” The withdrawal of the SPD’s court candidate only deepened mistrust between the coalition partners, exacerbating tensions over unfulfilled promises related to energy price cuts and pension enhancements for stay-at-home mothers. Such failures have undermined one of Merz’s key campaign pledges: to eliminate the public disputes that characterized the previous administration.

Despite these domestic challenges, Merz has shown some competence on the international stage. He recently initiated a video conference with Donald Trump, ahead of Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, securing assurances for Ukraine. Their communication has continued regularly since their June Oval Office meeting. Nevertheless, Merz recognizes that his influence is limited, particularly regarding pressing issues like trade negotiations with the United States.

In a notable pivot, Merz responded to potential Israeli actions regarding Gaza by imposing a ban on arms exports to Israel, aligning his stance with the views of approximately 75 percent of the German public who oppose such exports. This decision has drawn ire from senior figures within the CDU, particularly key state premiers, who believe it undermines the party’s traditional positions.

Looking ahead, analysts suggest that Merz must refocus on domestic policies to stabilize his government. As Prof. Klaus Schubert, a political scientist at the University of Münster, observed, “Merz is a proactive foreign policy chief delivering positive and coherent messages, but the economy is still flat, and things don’t look so good on the domestic front.”

As Merz returns from his interrupted holiday, the future of his administration hinges on addressing the pressing issues at home while navigating the complex political landscape that has defined his early tenure.