What will Germany be like under Merz?
Following the conservative CDU/CSU's victory in the Bundestag elections, its chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has announced that talks aimed at forming a governing coalition with the SPD will begin within the next few days. Europe's press discusses what to expect from the man who looks set to lead Germany.
The just-about-big-enough coalition must not fail
The CDU/CSU and SPD have an enormous responsibility, the Süddeutsche Zeitung stresses:
“If Merz now convinces the SPD to govern together, the result would not be a 'grand coalition', but at best a 'just-about-big-enough' coalition. Merz would lead a weaker grand coalition than Angela Merkel once did - while having to solve much bigger problems. ... The biggest task of the 'just-about-big-enough' coalition is to restore the Germans' trust in the democratic centre that evaporated during the years of the traffic light coalition - ideally through clear priorities and silent government. If this black-red coalition were to fail, not only external security would be at stake. Democracy would also be further weakened from within.”
Solid conservatism instead of populism
The Tages-Anzeiger welcomes the calm that has settled over Germany after the election:
“Living in the age of Trump, Musk, Putin and Milei also means developing a heightened sense for the beauty of the normal. Things we once took for granted suddenly seem precious and worthy of special mention. ... It is not a Donald Trump who is moving into the Berlin chancellery, but Friedrich Merz (CDU) - a man who acts like the reincarnation of Konrad Adenauer's election slogan 'No experiments!' Solid conservatism instead of disruptive furore, a border-transcending sense of responsibility instead of dull nationalism, respect for the rule of law instead of autocratic pretensions.”
Hard times for cultural coexistence
A policy of discrimination will soon become part of everyday life in Germany, Karar fears:
“It looks like Germany will become a more difficult country, both for 'foreigners' who live there and for 'foreigners' who travel there. In countries like Turkey the queues for visas are getting longer, visa-free travel won't be introduced - even if membership of the EU is no longer possible - and multiculturalism will be a thing of the past, even though there are Turkish candidates in both the AfD and the CDU/CSU. Discrimination that was considered shameful in the past will now be seen as acceptable by large sections of the population, and a contentious understanding of civilisation will find its way into the political language.”
A clear pro-European stance
Merz is taking a stand for Europe, Le Monde comments approvingly:
“Friedrich Merz has clearly learned the lessons from this geopolitical earthquake. On Sunday evening he denounced the US's unprecedented interference in the election campaign in support of the AfD and stressed the need to build up European defence. For a German leader this is not an easy path to take. This clarity is to be welcomed: Germany's clear and resolute commitment to European unity at this historic moment is of utmost importance - especially for France.”
Close ties with financial circles
La Stampa looks at Merz's career to date:
“Unlike his political mentor Wolfgang Schäuble [finance minister under Merkel], Merz has always preferred to take a step back rather than throw himself into the fray. Depending on the outcome, this can be seen as a sign of cleverness or a lack of tenacity. His decades of close ties with financial circles are now also raising legitimate questions. Will he approach the automotive crisis like a hedge fund or ensure that the financial sector does not move away from the real economy? Will he be able to take a moderate stance and make compromises, or will he force ruptures and reshuffle the cards?”