German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has marked his first 100 days in office with a flurry of reforms in security, economic, and migration policy, earning praise for decisiveness but exposing widening fissures within his fragile coalition.
Since taking office in May, Merz has pushed through measures to boost defence spending, tighten asylum rules, and implement tax incentives aimed at reviving Europe’s largest economy. His government has also accelerated Germany’s commitment to NATO, pledging to meet and maintain the alliance’s 2% GDP defence spending target — a move widely welcomed in Washington and other allied capitals.
On the domestic front, Merz unveiled an ambitious package of business-friendly reforms, cutting red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises and offering targeted tax relief to stimulate growth. He also introduced stricter migration controls, including faster deportation procedures for rejected asylum seekers, a policy that has sharply divided public opinion.
While Merz’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has rallied behind the chancellor’s agenda, his coalition partners — particularly the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) — have grown increasingly uneasy. The Greens have criticised the rollback of environmental regulations in favour of industrial competitiveness, while the FDP has raised concerns about the fiscal burden of defence and infrastructure spending.
“Merz promised stability, but what we’re seeing is an aggressive policy shift that risks alienating parts of the electorate,” said political analyst Claudia Neumann. “The first 100 days have been about speed — now the challenge is keeping the coalition intact.”
Tensions came to a head last week when Green ministers abstained from voting on a controversial border security bill, signalling a deepening rift within the government. FDP leaders have also warned against what they describe as “creeping centralisation” of power in the Chancellor’s Office.
Despite the discord, Merz’s approval ratings remain relatively strong, buoyed by his assertive foreign policy and promises to restore economic momentum. A recent poll by ARD showed 54% of Germans approve of his performance so far, though support is far weaker among younger voters and in eastern states.
In a statement marking the 100-day milestone, Merz defended his record: “Germany cannot afford hesitation. We must be secure, competitive, and in control of our borders. That is what this government was elected to deliver.”
As Europe braces for economic uncertainty and continued geopolitical tensions, the coming months will test whether Merz can maintain both the pace of his reforms and the unity of his uneasy coalition — a balance that may define the rest of his term.
