Steinmeier's reported calls Preiß on coalition tensions

Sep 29

Jessy Wellmer cites a Spiegel report that the Federal President called senior coalition figures out of concern about a crisis, amid sugar-tax and care-law disputes. Markus Preiß says the president spoke with senior representatives of all governing parties, but qualifies his reconstruction of the motives and calls. He describes unusually severe tensions, Union frustration with SPD demands, Merz's low standing and forceful approach, and some SPD interest in a left alliance following Berlin's result. In the second answer he assesses the coalition as troubled after three state elections, says fundamental care problems have been deferred and warns that the federal budget and a failure to restore compromise could deepen its difficulties. No coalition dissolution, successful presidential rescue or new governing agreement is established.

ARD cites Spiegel's report of presidential calls to senior governing-party representatives amid severe coalition tensions. Markus Preiß says the president spoke with leaders across the coalition, while qualifying the inferred motives and sequence. He describes care-reform disputes, weak confidence in Merz, pressure after state-election setbacks and future budget difficulties, warning that renewed compromise is needed. Neither the calls' effectiveness nor an imminent coalition collapse is established.