Crisis of Trust Deepens in German Politics Amid Coalition Strains and Public Discontent

More than a year after the Ampel coalition ended, the new schwarz-rote (black-red) coalition formed by CDU, CSU, and SPD grapples with a profound crisis of trust, both internally and among German citizens. Approval ratings continue to fall as public confidence wanes, with fewer people believing that the parties can effectively address urgent political challenges, according to multiple commentators and polls.

Ferdinand von Schirach, a writer and lawyer, attributes the crisis less to lies and more to broken promises eroding faith in politics. He warns that social media exacerbates divisiveness and monetizes outrage, fragmenting society into isolating bubbles and reducing empathy. Von Schirach advocates for balanced legal measures to regulate misinformation without censorship, aiming to rebuild trust through action rather than mere rhetoric.

Ricarda Lang, former Green Party leader, highlights the "deep trust crisis" in democracy itself, criticizing cause-and-effect responses to pressing issues as empty gestures lacking long-term vision. She rejects the "hyperpoliticization" culture and calls for strategic political efforts beyond short-term electoral cycles.

Adding a nuanced perspective, Martin Machowecz from ZEIT stresses bridging gaps with AfD voters through dialogue instead of exclusion, seeing potential for social media to enhance democratic engagement despite its often harsh environment.

Critics of the coalition, including those cited by regional newspapers like Münchner Merkur and Frankfurter Allgemeine, accuse it of perpetuating ineffective policies that have already harmed the economy, especially with soaring energy costs. The pension package is viewed as financially imprudent, prioritizing immediate payouts over sustainable corporate tax reforms and competitiveness. Calls for reducing bureaucracy, lowering labor costs, and fair taxation of investment income go largely unheeded, deepening skepticism toward governance priorities.

The coalition’s tactic of issuing large loans to maintain internal unity rather than focusing on forward-looking policies faces specific critique, and there is consensus that more effective regular functioning of coalition bodies is needed to resolve ongoing tensions. While supportive measures for industries like aviation provide temporary relief, experts warn they merely treat symptoms, not structural challenges.

Overall, the widening trust gap is marked by divergent perspectives between leadership promises and citizens’ lived realities, compounded by digital divisiveness and critical voices demanding political honesty and strategic coherence.