Germany’s New Coalition Partners Already Clash Over Freshly Struck Agreement

Germany’s prospective coalition government is facing internal tensions, with disagreements emerging among party leaders and within party ranks over key policy issues.

One central point of contention is a proposed tax cut that was included in the coalition agreement. Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, the likely next chancellor, emphasized in a recent interview that all commitments remain subject to available funding. He pointed to a clause in the 144-page coalition agreement requiring all measures — including tax relief and infrastructure investment — to be fiscally sustainable before being enacted.

This conditional framing has raised concern within the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the CDU’s expected junior coalition partner. SPD co-leader Saskia Esken pushed back, calling the tax cut a “clear agreement” and insisting it is necessary to demonstrate confidence to both workers and the broader economy. “It is firmly stated in the coalition contract,” Esken told Rheinische Post.

Foreign policy is also highlighting divisions within the emergent coalition. Merz reaffirmed support for sending long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, a position he says should be coordinated with European allies. However, acting Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, a senior SPD member expected to remain in his post, rejected this. “I never said I was in favor of that,” Pistorius said at an SPD event in Hannover. He cited “many good arguments” against the delivery and expressed skepticism about achieving consensus among European partners.

Complicating matters further, the SPD faces internal dissent from its youth organization, Jusos, which represents about 12 percent of party membership. The group strongly opposes the coalition agreement, particularly criticizing its hardline migration policies. Jusos leader Philipp Türmer called the deal a “ticking time bomb,” adding: “Our vote is rejection. For Jusos to support it, significant improvements would be necessary.”

Despite the criticism, SPD leadership remains firm. Party chair Lars Klingbeil ruled out reopening negotiations, stating, “There will be no second round. If this fails, there will be new elections or a minority government.”

Currently, around 358,000 SPD members are eligible to vote on ratifying the coalition agreement. The vote will remain open until April 29. If approved, the Bundestag is expected to vote to confirm Merz as Germany’s next chancellor on May 6.