Germany news: Merkel urges patience for Merz's coalition

What you need to know

• Angela Merkel has urged Germans to judge the government with "moderation and balance" 
• The former chancellor said she wished the conservative-center-left coalition success but declined to comment in detail on its policies.
• Merkel advised Chancellor Friedrich Merz to show "a generous spirit" towards coalition partners
• Men across Germany are taking to the streets to celebrate Father's Day with friends

Here are the latest stories that Germany is talking about on Thursday, May 14, 2026:  

Merkel advises 'fearless' approach toward Trump

On dealing with US President Donald Trump, the former chancellor advised identifying common ground while otherwise acting "without fear."

She said: "Not trying especially hard to please him — at least I never had any illusions about that, even when things were going well — nor trying to be especially provocative: that was how I handled it."

Merkel warned against underestimating Trump: "Anyone who has reached positions like these simply has an incredible amount of power. And that is why it must be taken very, very seriously."

Merkel urges more tolerance from public and politicians

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germans to fairly assess the coalition government amid widespread public dissatisfaction with its performance.

The government's approval ratings, however, have steadily declined since it took office just over a year ago. In some recent surveys, more than 80% of respondents in some polls expressed dissatisfaction with its work.

Merkel, who served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021, did not want to comment in detail on the policies of the Union-SPD coalition. But she stressed: "I wish this government success."

"Every citizen should, with moderation and balance — those were always my favorite words — try to appreciate what the government has already achieved," the former CDU chairwoman told the news magazine Focus. "It is not as though nothing at all has happened."

Merkel also urged greater tolerance of debates within government. "Today, every debate is immediately described as 'infighting,'" Merkel said in comments to the Focus news magazine. "I believe politicians must make clear that there is no solution-finding process that does not involve some kind of debate." 

She also advised current Chancellor Friedrich Merz to show "a generous spirit" toward his conservative bloc's coalition partners, the center-left Social Democrats. 

A look back on Merkel's 16 years as chancellor

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Welcome to our coverage

Guten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn.

You join us on German Father's Day, when men across the nation are expected to celebrate fatherhood by leaving their families behind to go and drink with friends. 

Meanwhile, former Chancellor Angela Merkel has been chatting to a popular news magazine about politics and personal life.

Stick with us for these and other stories that Germany is talking about.