Germany’s indecision, often rooted in internal coalition division, has translated in Brussels into delays, significant abstentions, and a gradual erosion of trust among its partners. Worsened in recent years, this uncertainty has weakened Germany’s credibility and contributed to paralysis in EU decision-making. To address this, Merz’s government has introduced new mechanisms in Berlin designed to increase coherence in Germany’s European policymaking.

Substantively, Friedrich Merz’s European agenda rests on two closely linked pillars: European sovereignty and competitiveness. His government promotes deregulation of administrative burdens and an industrial strategy focused on innovation, energy, and the single market, aiming to prevent the EU from falling behind the United States and China.

In practice, however, the first months of the CDU/CSU-SPD government have shown that the promise to end the practice of the “German vote” still faces partisan and procedural tensions. These continue to produce tactical abstentions, attempts to bypass coordination channels, and rivalries between ministries.

On the European stage, Merz relies on the Franco-German partnership, the Weimar Triangle, and other small-group formats. His more intergovernmental approach fuels both expectations for clearer German leadership and concerns among member states wary of an overly assertive “Germany-first” approach. Yet the window of opportunity to shape a lasting European agenda, particularly with France, remains narrow and uncertain as 2027 approaches.
 

Jeanette Süß is researcher at the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), working in particular on the European Union and the Franco-German relations.

This publication is available in French (pdf): "La fabrique de la politique européenne de l’Allemagne", Etude de l'Ifri, janvier 2026.