The leader of the Green Party parliamentary group, Katharina Dröge, has delivered a sharp critique of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s (CDU) performance following his recent summer press conference.
Dröge questioned Merz’s ability to lead a functioning coalition, stating, “Friedrich Merz cannot answer the question of whether he is still capable of leading a coalition that is able to act”. She characterized his first 70 days in office as having produced a “devastating” outcome, fostering uncertainty and ambiguity. Dröge expressed concern that Merz intends to prolong this situation throughout the summer months, deeming it “irresponsible.
She cited recent parliamentary proceedings to support her assessment. Merz initially failed to secure sufficient votes during the chancellorship election and subsequently, Union party members refused to endorse the proposal of the parliamentary group’s own chairman, Jens Spahn, during a judicial election.
Dröge suggested these setbacks indicate a failure of leadership within the CDU, contributing to instability within the governing coalition. She asserted that the CDU has become a “risk factor” within the federal government.
Beyond leadership concerns, Dröge criticized the coalition’s policy direction, arguing that it falls short of what is possible and necessary. She asserted that Merz’s government possesses the capacity to enact positive change, including bolstering investments, improving affordability for citizens and strengthening climate protection measures. Instead, she alleged the government is opting for evasive tactics with regard to investment and promised energy tax relief for families has failed to materialize.
Dröge reserved her strongest criticism for the coalition’s approach to climate protection, describing it as involving “significant setbacks” across multiple areas and labeling it a “declaration of bankruptcy”. She highlighted the fact that the term “climate protection” was not even mentioned during Merz’s press conference.
