Has Germany's New Chancellor Been Any Good?

Summary

In this video, we explore the tumultuous early days of Germany’s Chancellor Merz, who took office in May 2025. His approval ratings have been volatile, marked by political stumbles such as breaking campaign promises and a dramatic first parliamentary vote failure. Despite challenges, Merz has quickly formed a coalition, made strides in foreign relations, and delivered on reducing migration. However, internal conflicts within his coalition and the fallout from broken promises are causing domestic issues. The video concludes with a mixed but optimistic assessment of Merz’s leadership, giving him a solid 7 out of 10 rating.

Takeaways

• 😀 Merz became Chancellor of Germany on May 9th, after years of being overlooked for the top job by Angela Merkel.
• 😀 Merz's approval ratings have fluctuated, starting at 38%, rising to 43%, but dropping back down to 35%.
• 😀 Despite winning the election, Merz's party, CDU/CSU, underperformed and struggled to form a majority coalition, resulting in a deal with the SPD.
• 😀 Merz broke a major campaign promise by agreeing to a €500 billion infrastructure plan and increased defense spending, which involved borrowing funds.
• 😀 Despite the controversial debt reform, it was necessary to invest in critical infrastructure and military, which had been neglected for years.
• 😀 Merz formed a coalition with SPD in just 2.5 months, which was considered fast and important given the global situation.
• 😀 Merz's first vote to become Chancellor was a failure due to defections from his own coalition, a rare and embarrassing event in German politics.
• 😀 Merz's charm offensive included diplomatic visits to France, Poland, and Ukraine, signaling a more active German foreign policy under his leadership.
• 😀 Merz had a successful meeting with Trump, who praised his leadership and English skills, though no major diplomatic breakthroughs were achieved.
• 😀 Domestically, Merz faced criticism for breaking another campaign promise regarding electricity tax relief, which only benefited big businesses.
• 😀 Merz has delivered on his promise to reduce migration, with asylum applications in Germany dropping by 44.9% in 2025, although external factors contributed to this decline.

Q & A

Who is Merz, and why is his chancellorship significant?

Merz became Chancellor of Germany on May 9th, after having been passed over for the role by Angela Merkel over 20 years ago. His chancellorship is significant because it's a key moment for Germany’s political future, as his approval ratings and leadership are being scrutinized during a time of major international challenges.

Why have Merz’s approval ratings fluctuated since he became Chancellor?

Merz’s approval ratings have been volatile, initially low at 38%, rising to 43%, and dropping back down to 35%. This fluctuation is attributed to various internal and external political issues, including broken promises, coalition challenges, and international diplomacy.

What was Merz’s first major political setback as Chancellor?

Merz’s first major setback was the underwhelming performance of his party in the election, which resulted in a coalition government with the SPD. His failure to maintain a strong CDU majority and breaking a key fiscal promise regarding the debt brake were key disappointments.

What does the term 'debt brake' mean in German politics?

In German politics, the 'debt brake' refers to a strict policy that limits the amount of debt the government can incur. Merz had promised to maintain this policy, but just after the election, he agreed to a €500 billion infrastructure plan and borrowing for defense, breaking this promise.

What is Merz’s performance in terms of international relations?

Merz has been active in international diplomacy, visiting countries like France, Poland, and Ukraine, where his leadership has contrasted positively with his predecessor Scholz. He has worked to improve relationships with these nations, and even managed to have a productive meeting with Trump.

How did Merz handle the relationship with France and Poland?

Merz took a proactive approach in rebuilding Germany’s relationship with France, which had deteriorated under Scholz, and strengthening ties with Poland. He also sought to improve relations between the UK and mainland Europe.

What was the political crisis involving the appointment of a judge to Germany's top court?

The CDU/CSU coalition unexpectedly backed out of supporting a left-leaning judge’s nomination to Germany's top court, causing internal conflict. This last-minute change led to a political drama that hurt Merz’s image and showcased the instability within his coalition.

How did Merz perform on his campaign promise to reduce migration?

Merz has made progress on his campaign promise to reduce migration, as asylum applications in Germany dropped by 44.9% in the first half of 2025. His government introduced stricter border controls and paused family reunifications for two years.

What are the key accomplishments and challenges Merz faces as Chancellor?

Merz’s accomplishments include strengthening foreign relations and delivering on his migration reduction promise. However, challenges include internal coalition struggles, breaking campaign promises, and a lack of significant domestic achievements.

What is the overall assessment of Merz’s performance so far?

Merz’s performance is rated at 7 out of 10. He has done well internationally, but his domestic challenges, including coalition issues and broken promises, have hurt his reputation. If he manages to stabilize his coalition, his approval ratings could improve.