At the head of Germany since December 2021, Chancellor Olaf Scholz officially passed the relay this Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Who is Friedrich Merz, his successor?
Major change at the head of Germany: le chanceless bullers’ bewritingin office since December 2021, the witness passes to Friedrich Merzwhat Mardi May 6, 2025.
After the February turning point
Conservative Friedrich Merz, 69, is to be appointed on Tuesday new Chancellor in Germanyto take over from Olaf Scholz at a pivotal moment in the country, between an economy in idleof the distended links With the United States-a crucial security ally- and a push from the extreme right. The parliamentarians are expected to approve, during a vote organized in the lower chamber, the appointment of Friedrich Merz after the CUR/CSU conservative block, victorious of the February legislative elections, sealed a coalition agreement with SPD social democrats.
If Friedrich Merz is an experienced politician, for having started his career in the 1980s as a MEP, He has never held a government station And will therefore have to prove his ability to fulfill the function of Chancellor. When, in 2002, he left a power struggle among the Conservatives against his rival Angela Merkel, He moved away from politicsspending more than a decade in the private sector, including four years at the head of the German BlackRock antenna.
Merkel’s antithesis?
Wealthy man, training lawyer, amateur pilot, he is considered by many Like Angela Merkel’s antithesiswhich was in power for 16 years, both in terms of style and its political priorities. The Angela Merkel pragmatics oriented conservatives to a more centrist position; Friedrich Merz, supporter of economic liberalismbrought them back to the right. The support of the designated chancellor highlights the fact that he has managed to obtain a historic investment plan, to strengthen infrastructure and defense expenses, Before even being appointed.
His detractors say they see the need to forget His erratic decision To have a motion adopted in parliament calling for a stricter immigration policy, alongside the alternative party for Germany (AFD), breaking the taboo of cooperation with the extreme right. This served the interests of AFD but also from the far left during the last elections. The two parties will have together enough votes in the new legislature to oppose a relaxation of restrictions on German debt.
“If this government fails …”
“The U-turn on tax policy, as necessary as it israises the question of why Merz opposed it during the elections, but also to know If he really has a vision On the long term for the economy, “said Carsten Brzeski, Macro World Manager at ING. While AFD is leading certain recent polls, the main challenge of the government will be clear to restore confidence In the center of German politics, he added.
“If this government fails, AFD will have more support During the next elections and could then become a member of the government. “according to analysts, the composition of the government that intends to form Friedrich Merz suggests that the designated chancellor favors expertise in political experience. He also made the choice of a renewalin a context of distrust of the establishment ‘. Only one member of the outgoing government will keep his portfolio: the Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius.
Light after the void?
Friedrich Merz will have to demonstrate his ability to direct while the outgoing tripartite coalition of the Social Democrat Olaf Scholz imploded last Novembercreating a political emptiness At the heart of Europe in a delicate context, while the continent faces a range of crises. “People have been asking Germany for a long time to lead, and It is now no longer possible not to listen to this call “commented Sudha David-Wilp, vice-president of the German Marshall Fund, a focused reflection center on the strengthening of transatlantic relations.
“All that on which post-war Germany has rested in the past eight decades is no longer relevant, whether it be open markets and free trade, or the security presence of the United States in Europe, “she added. The coalition agreement concluded by the CDU/CSU with the SPD provides for measures intended for Relaunch economic growthas a reduction in corporate tax, and a reduction in energy prices. Friedrich Merz also undertook to continue to provide unfailing support to Ukraine and increase defense expenses.
