Formation of New German Government Completed with Cabinet Sworn In
The coalition government featuring CDU, CSU, and SPD assumes power following the recent federal elections.
On May 6, 2025, Germany officially finalised the formation of a new government, marking the end of a six-month period of political uncertainty following the collapse of the previous coalition.
The newly formed government, comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was sworn in at the Bundestag.
The coalition now commands a parliamentary majority; however, challenges to its stability remain apparent.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU was elected in a second round of voting after failing to secure the necessary majority in the first ballot.
Merz, now backed by a cabinet of 17 ministers, was inaugurated amid ongoing concerns regarding the coalition's cohesion.
The new cabinet consists of ten men and eight women, with each of the CDU and SPD providing seven ministers, while the CSU appoints three.
Lars Klingbeil of the SPD has been appointed Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister, assuming the second most powerful position in the cabinet.
The inaugural cabinet meeting took place on the same evening, where the first decision was made to eliminate 25 government representatives and coordinators, signifying an intention to reduce bureaucracy.
Chancellor Merz’s ascension to office comes as he prepares to navigate immediate diplomatic engagements in Paris and Warsaw.
The Chancellor's office has undergone security enhancements, including a ballistic glass feature allowing viewing over the governmental district, as well as secure communication devices for confidential discussions.
Upon arrival at his new office, Merz will encounter a furnished workspace inherited from his predecessor, Olaf Scholz of the SPD, who had minimal changes to the room design upon his own entry in 2021.
Under the prior leadership of Baschar al-Assad, Syria experienced a civil conflict resulting in an exodus of approximately five million citizens.
In a shift related to asylum statistics, the European Asylum Agency reported a sharp decline in asylum applications from Syrian citizens following Assad's recent ousting by Islamist forces.
The number of asylum requests from Syrians in the European Union fell to 5,000 in February 2025, a staggering 70% decrease compared to October of the previous year.
This change in asylum dynamics has also prompted Germany and other countries to halt the processing of asylum applications stemming from Syria.
Prior to the regime change, Germany processed a large volume of these applications.
In June 2025, the German government announced plans to allow temporary returns for Syrian refugees under strict conditions, aiming to facilitate the return process while maintaining their protection status in Germany.
This initiative has sparked criticism from some political factions within Germany, questioning its practicality and implications.
The political atmosphere in Germany remains tense as reactions to the election of Merz as Chancellor highlight divisions within the government and among opposition parties.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) was notably critical of the coalition's formation, while economic analysts express concerns regarding the potential impact on Germany’s economic stability.
Overall, the newly minted government faces considerable immediate challenges as it embarks on its agenda.
The newly formed government, comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was sworn in at the Bundestag.
The coalition now commands a parliamentary majority; however, challenges to its stability remain apparent.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU was elected in a second round of voting after failing to secure the necessary majority in the first ballot.
Merz, now backed by a cabinet of 17 ministers, was inaugurated amid ongoing concerns regarding the coalition's cohesion.
The new cabinet consists of ten men and eight women, with each of the CDU and SPD providing seven ministers, while the CSU appoints three.
Lars Klingbeil of the SPD has been appointed Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister, assuming the second most powerful position in the cabinet.
The inaugural cabinet meeting took place on the same evening, where the first decision was made to eliminate 25 government representatives and coordinators, signifying an intention to reduce bureaucracy.
Chancellor Merz’s ascension to office comes as he prepares to navigate immediate diplomatic engagements in Paris and Warsaw.
The Chancellor's office has undergone security enhancements, including a ballistic glass feature allowing viewing over the governmental district, as well as secure communication devices for confidential discussions.
Upon arrival at his new office, Merz will encounter a furnished workspace inherited from his predecessor, Olaf Scholz of the SPD, who had minimal changes to the room design upon his own entry in 2021.
Under the prior leadership of Baschar al-Assad, Syria experienced a civil conflict resulting in an exodus of approximately five million citizens.
In a shift related to asylum statistics, the European Asylum Agency reported a sharp decline in asylum applications from Syrian citizens following Assad's recent ousting by Islamist forces.
The number of asylum requests from Syrians in the European Union fell to 5,000 in February 2025, a staggering 70% decrease compared to October of the previous year.
This change in asylum dynamics has also prompted Germany and other countries to halt the processing of asylum applications stemming from Syria.
Prior to the regime change, Germany processed a large volume of these applications.
In June 2025, the German government announced plans to allow temporary returns for Syrian refugees under strict conditions, aiming to facilitate the return process while maintaining their protection status in Germany.
This initiative has sparked criticism from some political factions within Germany, questioning its practicality and implications.
The political atmosphere in Germany remains tense as reactions to the election of Merz as Chancellor highlight divisions within the government and among opposition parties.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) was notably critical of the coalition's formation, while economic analysts express concerns regarding the potential impact on Germany’s economic stability.
Overall, the newly minted government faces considerable immediate challenges as it embarks on its agenda.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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