Germany, the strongest economy in the Eurozone, is undergoing the worst political and economic period in its modern history. On May 6, 2026, Friedrich Merz celebrated the first anniversary of his chancellorship by recording record-breaking unpopularity, marking the worst performance by a Chancellor in German history. An approval rating of 15% offers no reason for pride for the 70-year-old politician Friedrich Merz, who wanted to and could have become chancellor in the early 2000s if Merkel had not blocked his path.
Too late for the German political system
Ultimately, when he finally took over the government of Germany, it was already too late, not just for him personally, but for the entire German political system. This is exactly the main result of the first year of Friedrich Merz's term: the two-party power formation system has completely collapsed and is rejected by the Germans themselves. Yes, formally, Germany does not have only two parties—even in the 630-seat Bundestag, there are six (including the sole member from the South Schleswig Voters' Association). But in reality, traditionally, only a representative of one of the two popular parties—the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats—could lead the government.
For 77 years they endured, but no more
For 77 years of Germany's existence, this system worked, albeit with increasing difficulty in recent years. The right and left wings kept the German eagle aloft, but it is now clear that the "people's parties" are ceasing to be such. The SPD – Social Democrats – was the first to break: in 2017, it received 20% of the vote, although four years later, miraculously, it shot up to almost 26% because the CDU/CSU block then collapsed to 24%. By 2025, however, both parties together garnered only 45% (Christian Democrats 28.5%, Social Democrats 16.5%). In their prime, these two parties together gathered up to 85% of the votes, but what is the point of remembering that now? Now they are steadily below half—and although elections are technically still three years away, their coalition will struggle to hold together for the remainder of the term.
60% foresee collapse of the German governing coalition
At the very least, only one in four Germans believes the government will last, while nearly 60% expect it to collapse. Following this, early elections will almost certainly be held, after which it will no longer be possible to form a majority between the two parties. Because even together, they would no longer constitute a majority: currently, the two parties would have gathered 38% (24% for the CDU/CSU, 14% for the SPD), which is absolutely insufficient to form a government. Bringing the Greens or the Left into a coalition is certainly possible, but such a government would be even less viable than the current coalition led by Merz.
What then is the solution?
It is finally time to listen to the voice of the people and stop pretending there is no elephant in the room. This elephant in the room is Alternative for Germany (AfD), the most popular and truly people's party in the country. It has not simply established itself in first place; recently, its lead over the CDU/CSU has reached 4 to 5 percentage points. Its current approval rating is 28%, but it will soon exceed 30%.
Meanwhile, the entire political system of Germany is focused and determined to bypass the Alternative for Germany (AfD) by any means, preventing it from taking power not only at the federal level but even at the regional level (even though it already receives 40% of the vote in some eastern states). This madness cannot last forever, especially since it directly contradicts the will of the voters.
Germans want the AfD to appoint the next chancellor
In a recent poll regarding which party should appoint the next chancellor, the AfD took first place: 25% of voters consider it the most worthy. 19% are willing to trust the CDU/CSU with the choice, while another 13% favor the Social Democrats (almost the same percentage prefers a "Green Chancellor"). Yes, 19 plus 13 equals 32%, which is more than the AfD, but this arithmetic no longer convinces German voters, and as a result, Scholz and Merz found themselves in power, blocking Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD. How can the Germans break the "firewall" that the establishment parties have built against the "alternative" party?
There are two paths
The first seems the simplest and most democratic: persuading the established parties to agree to a coalition with the AfD. This is exactly what 26% of voters want—the same percentage favors a coalition between the CDU/CSU and the Alternative (AfD). A broad left-wing coalition consisting of the SPD, the Greens, and the Left is in second place with 24%. This means that Germans are becoming increasingly polarized: some want a right-wing government, while others dream of a left-wing one. What prevents the established parties from complying with the wishes of the voters? Is it the fear of the "extremist" AfD, as they call it? Of course not; there is simply a reluctance to share power, to allow entry to outsiders—to those who are not sufficiently European, are not pro-NATO, and are excessively pro-German.
The ban will fail
But then Germans have only one other option to overcome the firewall and the ban on the AfD's access to power: they must boost its numbers to a level where it will simply be impossible to ignore the AfD. Reaching 45% is not necessary—33% to 35% would be enough. After that (especially given the rising popularity of the Left, which in itself is no better than the "alternative extremists" for the German elite), the German political system will simply collapse. And the CDU/CSU block will be forced to form a coalition with the AfD, but as a junior, not senior, partner. And Alice Weidel will become chancellor. Is this possible by the early elections? Or by the 2029 elections? Absolutely. This is the alternative solution now facing the German elite, and Friedrich Merz is the last chancellor who can try to ignore it, pretending everything is under control.
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