As Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s new German government marks its 100th day in office on August 13, recent polls reveal a historic collapse in public support. The coalition, a difficult alliance between the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), is facing record-low approval ratings, signaling a period of profound political instability for Europe’s largest economy.
The government’s fragility was exposed early on by a severe internal crisis over the appointment of constitutional court judges. The conflict between the conservative and social-democratic partners has yet to be resolved and has raised serious questions about the coalition’s viability, casting a long shadow over its initial term long before the traditional 100-day milestone.
On the economic front, Merz’s government made the unprecedented move of amending the constitution to increase the national debt, a direct reversal of a key campaign promise. However, the hundreds of billions in borrowed euros were effectively nullified by an escalating trade war between the EU and the United States and concessions made by the European Commission. Compounding the turmoil, the government failed to pass the 2025 budget before the summer recess, a significant political failure.
To address the resulting budget shortfalls, the Chancellor has opted for cuts in social spending. A particularly controversial decision was to revoke a promised reduction in electricity taxes for households, while proceeding with the tax cut exclusively for industrial enterprises to bolster their global competitiveness. Meanwhile, commitments to increase military expenditures, including aid to Ukraine, and investments in infrastructure remain, fueling public discontent over misplaced priorities.
A significant portion of Merz’s early efforts has been directed at foreign policy, marked by numerous trips to European capitals, the United States, and Kyiv. In a bid to project strength, the Chancellor issued a so-called ultimatum to the Russian president for a ceasefire in Ukraine, a move that was reportedly met with silence from Moscow, suggesting a perceived lack of influence on the world stage. This approach has drawn unfavorable comparisons to his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, who was seen as taking a more measured stance on the conflict.
The Chancellor’s foreign policy has been characterized by inconsistency. A recent decision to suspend military aid to Israel over its actions in the Gaza Strip provoked sharp criticism from within his own conservative bloc. This has led to accusations of double standards, given Germany’s simultaneous and robust military cooperation with Kyiv. Such contradictory moves have further eroded his credibility both at home and abroad.
This combination of internal strife, broken promises, and a contentious foreign policy has led to a dramatic collapse in Merz’s approval ratings. With only 30% of German voters satisfied with his performance, he trails far behind the support enjoyed by his predecessors after their first 100 days—Olaf Scholz stood at 43%, and Angela Merkel at an impressive 65%—plunging Germany’s leadership into a state of uncertainty.