Germany’s Climate Path Hits a Crossroads Under New Conservative Government

Friedrich Merz was elected Germany’s chancellor on May 6 after an unprecedented first-round defeat in parliament. Despite a coalition between his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP), 18 members withheld support, forcing a second vote. Merz secured 325 votes in the second round, taking office amid internal dissent and rising far-right momentum.

With Merz leading a deeply divided coalition government, Clean Energy Wire and Grist share their take on what’s next for renewables, climate, and energy in Germany—where inflation and energy costs remain top concerns, as in many other countries.

Cover photo:  A Stern magazine cover from Februrary 2025. Translation: Do better! Unpopular, weakened, surrounded by autocrats and populists: Why Friedrich Merz is doomed to succeed despite this almost impossible task. (conceptphoto.info/flickr)