In the interview, Prof. Dr. Kronenberg first emphasized that the change of policy promised by Chancellor Friedrich Merz would be difficult to achieve after only 100 days of the black-red coalition government in office. According to the political scientist, it would only be possible to “take stock appropriately after a year.” He went on to explain that Merz had raised many expectations but had not always fulfilled them, which had led to conflicts between the chancellor's office and the CDU parliamentary group. From Prof. Dr. Kronenberg's point of view, the current tensions between the chancellor and the parliamentary group represent the greatest domestic political threat to the stability of Friedrich Merz's chancellorship: “He has a lot to learn when it comes to getting the parliamentary group involved,” Prof. Dr. Kronenberg concluded.
In an interview with "Focus Online", Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg takes stock of the "black-red" coalition. In an interview with "Focus Online", Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg takes stock of the "black-red" coalition.
On August 13th, Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg gave an interview to the news site Focus Online about the interim results of Germany's "black-red" coalition government, which had taken office 100 days ago, on May 6th, 2025.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil during the signing of the coalition agreement for the 21st legislative period of the Bundestag on May 5th, 2025.
© Wikimedia Commons
Download all images in original size
The impression in connection with the service is free, while the image specified author is mentioned.
Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg is Speaker and Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) as well as Professor for Political Science at the University Bonn