Concerns over Merz's coalition amid 'blockades and finger-pointing'
May 04, 2026
Berlin [Germany], May 4: Top conservatives in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government are concerned over the state of their coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) amid mounting frustration over the slow pace of reforms.
Steffen Bilger, a senior lawmaker from Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Sunday that "blockades and finger-pointing" by the SPD in recent days have affected "trust in politicians' capacity to act." "The coalition must immediately return to a constructive reforming mode and deliver," said Bilger. Merz's government - made up of the SPD, the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) - has seen approval ratings plunge amid soaring prices due to the war in Iran, just one year after taking office. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
