Merz calls for government stability and warns against AfD and left-wing governments

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has called on his coalition to ensure the stability of the joint government. »We have to stay together in government. We have to move the country forward. We must also use the great opportunities we have together. And I am determined to do that," said the Chancellor on the ARD program Report from Berlin during his visit to Kyiv.

The whole of Europe depends on stability in Germany, said Merz. Perhaps many people underestimated at the moment how important a stable government is in Germany, especially in these turbulent times. Everyone must have an interest in ensuring that Germany continues to be governed in a stable manner.

In a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, Merz previously said with regard to a possible failure of the federal government: "That would have immeasurable consequences for all of Europe. And in this respect, I will do everything I can to continue to lead the government in Germany in a stable manner. The federal government must decide on reforms on care, pensions and taxes as well as the 2027 budget in the coming weeks.

Merz warns against governments led by the AfD and the Left

When asked whether Ukraine was right to be concerned about the stability of the government in Germany, the Chancellor replied: "Yes and no." He referred to the political situation after the last state elections.

It would not contribute to the stability of the Federal Republic if a government was formed in Saxony-Anhalt under the leadership of the AfD. The regional association is described by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a “secure right-wing extremist operation”. In the same context, Merz accused the Left Party in Berlin of connections to clan crime and anti-Semitism.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's speech on German Unity Day was a "reminder to all of us," said Merz. The day before, the Federal President had called for the resolute defense of democracy and warned against a further rise in extremist forces. Merz said: "This speech resonates with me for a long time, and I suspect I'm not the only one who feels that way."

Chancellor calls for speed in social reforms

He particularly called on the black-red government coalition to make progress with reforms to the social systems. This applies above all to the pension reform. The proposals "are on the table as well developed as we have ever had in Germany in the last 30 years," said Merz and added: "I very much hope that we will be able to implement them in this way."

SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch also said directly on the ZDF program in Berlin that everyone involved was aware of their responsibility, but there was a debate about the best way forward. »But I am very sure that we in this grand coalition can now meet this challenge.« ​

With regard to the nursing care reform, Miersch confirmed that the SPD was interested in more justice and changing the structures in this regard, "for example, by including private insurance." He also assumes that Labor and Social Affairs Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) will present her draft for pension and labor market reforms to the cabinet “in the next few weeks”. The government leaders will meet for their next coalition committee on Wednesday.