CDU-CSU-SPD Coalition Faces Internal Turmoil and Public Distrust One Year In

One year after the CDU, CSU, and SPD coalition government was formed in May 2025 under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, it continues to grapple with significant internal conflicts and tepid public approval. The coalition aimed to usher in a new political spirit marked by reform willingness and crisis navigation, yet it has struggled amid contentious pension reforms, judicial appointments controversies, and broader political tensions.

According to a recent documentary by ZDF, the coalition has been under constant pressure, resulting in historically low approval ratings. Key figures, such as Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, have been depicted striving to broker compromises amid these challenges. The coalition's policy decisions and internal dynamics have faced intense scrutiny from the public and within party bases, compounded by state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz and international pressures heightened by policies of then U.S. President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the Thüringen-Monitor 2025 research highlights a pronounced disconnect between citizen support for democracy in principle and trust in its current political institutions. Although 90% of respondents strongly identify with their local identity in Thüringen and 85% are satisfied with life quality, only 44% express satisfaction with democracy's functioning in Germany. Trust in federal and state governments remains low, at 21% and 29% respectively. This growing skepticism correlates with persistent populist attitudes held by 58% of respondents, and ongoing right-wing extremist sentiments by 18%, signaling a challenging environment for governing coalition stability.

These findings underscore the turbulent political landscape that the current government faces as it attempts reforms and seeks public legitimacy amid economic and social pressures. The documentary's behind-the-scenes revelations and the social research together paint a portrait of a coalition beset by internal disputes and public mistrust, raising questions about its cohesion and efficacy going forward.