Ines Schwerdtner, chair of the Left Party, has delivered a sharply critical assessment of the first 100 days of the current federal government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). Describing the period as a “classic false start, a fiasco” Schwerdtner expressed disappointment, stating expectations were not met even at a low baseline. She highlighted a perceived lack of substantial structural reforms in areas such as pensions, employment and elder care.
Schwerdtner pointed to what she characterized as a disparity between available resources and equitable distribution. Despite the creation of special funds and expanded borrowing capabilities, she argues the government is distributing funds more unfairly than its predecessors, specifically citing defense spending as a misallocation of investment towards “dead metal” instead of social programs. She claims relief measures are being prioritized for large corporations over the general population.
The continued rise in support for the AfD party does not surprise Schwerdtner, given the government’s policies. She asserts that continued austerity in public services like schools and hospitals, coupled with insufficient support for local municipalities, an emphasis on military buildup and restrictive migration policies, are contributing factors.
Schwerdtner leveled criticism at the Social Democratic Party (SPD), accusing it of lacking assertiveness within the governing coalition. She contends the SPD has repeatedly yielded to the CDU, supporting policies, including stricter migration regulations, in exchange for minimal concessions. She cited the recently passed pension law as an example, arguing the proposed pension level of 48% is inadequate.
Concerning foreign policy, Schwerdtner characterized Chancellor Merz’s approach as rhetoric without tangible results. She suggests his perceived self-assurance hasn’t translated into effective diplomacy, noting the meeting with US President Donald Trump yielded no discernible impact on issues such as trade disputes, the war in Ukraine, or the conflict in Gaza.
