Germany’s incoming government is being watched with some scepticism by people across the political spectrum. Conservative Chancellor-to-be Friedrich Merz has big plans to move fast on a few key issues.
Following the announcement of a finalised coalition agreement last week – drafted by the conservative CDU/CSU parties and the centre-left SPD – Germany looks set to see its new black-red government coalesce in the coming days and weeks.
Pending formal approval by both the CDU/CSU and the SPD parties, conservative leader Friedrich Merz would then be sworn into his next role as German chancellor in early May.
But while members of the leading parties have made some big promises, the general sentiment in Germany isn’t yet heading towards the drastic change it needs. In fact, being built on considerable concessions from both the Social Democrats and the conservatives, the coalition agreement has been slammed on both sides of the political spectrum.
With that in back of mind, Merz addressed the German media and laid out his plan to hit the ground running as soon as the next government is put in place.
From an immediate tightening of Germany’s immigration policy to economic incentives and tax relief, here’s how the chancellor-to-be envisions his first few weeks in office.
Turnaround in asylum policy ‘immediately’
“The first issues we will tackle are tightened border controls,” Merz has pledged, according to a report in Tagesspiegel.
Promises to crack down asylum seekers entering Germany was a major focal point of Merz’ recent election campaign.
Last month he spoke of massively expanding Germany’s border controls and working together with European neighbours to reject asylum seekers before they enter the country.
Merz has reiterated his promises to begin his turnaround in asylum policy from day one.
“The new Federal Minister of the Interior will start immediately,” he said.
EXPLAINED: What Germany’s new coalition pact means for foreign residents
Tax relief and economic stimulus dependent on conditions
Other measures that Merz wants to get rolling right away include efforts to reduce bureaucracy, and the introduction of the active pension (effectively a bonus paid to workers of retirement age that keep working).
In contrast to his ambitious tone on immigration issues, Merz appears to be dampening expectations on previously announced plans for tax cuts and an increase of the minimum wage.
He suggested that planned tax relief for small and medium-sized incomes was tied to economic conditions: “If the companies are doing better, we will ultimately gain more leeway for income tax cuts, but we need growth for this to happen.”
Merz added that his government will do everything possible “to achieve the leeway for this through economic growth and frugal budget management.”
KEY POINTS: How Germany’s new coalition will affect your bank balance
He struck a similar tone regarding a proposed increased in the minimum wage to €15 per hour. Referring to the careful wording of the coalition pact, Merz said the minimum wage would not be increased by law but would ultimately be decided by the Minimum Wage Commission. His comments have angered the SPD, who insisted that the commission were moving in this direction.
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New military service model
Another major change that Merz’ government wants to bring in rapidly is introducing a new military service model. Specifically, Merz has previously said that he will “strengthen military service in Germany,” but at least initially, only on a voluntary basis.
Taking a tip from the ‘Swedish model’, soon 18-year-old German men can expect expect to receive a questionnaire from the German army assessing their physical health, skills and willingness to defend the country. Of an estimated 400,000 young people who take the questionnaire each year, up to 40,000 would be recruited to be trained and serve in the military.
However, the new government’s bold ambitions here may be dampened, or at least temporarily held back, while the Bundeswehr builds up enough resources to be able to manage that many recruits.
Still, it’s expected that a bill about the new conscription model could be put to parliament almost immediately when the new government steps in. If so, German citizens who turn 18 this year could feasibly find the corresponding questionnaire in their mailboxes later this year.
READ ALSO: What will Germany’s new military service look like – and who will it include?
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Change the mood ‘by summer’
Whether in a bid to boost his own party’s popularity or for other reasons, Germany’s incoming chancellor sees importance in hitting the ground running and rapidly changing the mood in German politics.
“It is important that we improve the mood in the country by the summer,” Merz said, adding, “There is still a lot of convincing to be done.”
To that end, he has proposed that the working hours of the Bundestag be extended into the summer this year, with parliamentarians meeting well into July. Merz says that he wants his government’s programme to be adopted in the first half of the year, and to be adopted by parliament shortly thereafter.
Of course, before any further steps are taken both the SPD and conservative parties need to formally approve the coalition agreement in its current form. The CSU has already done so but the CDU plans to vote on the matter on April 28th, and the SPD is expected to announce the result of its own vote by the 30th.
READ ALSO: How soon will Germany’s new government take office?
Merz assumes that all parties are on board with moving forward.
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“I cannot and do not want to imagine a different result,” Merz said.
He added that, from his view, a sense of agreement is now palpable: “At the bakery, on the street and wherever I meet people.”
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