German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was 'grateful' the centre-left SPD wants to stay in coalition after his CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections, as tens of thousands of autoworkers protested nationwide over threatened jobs.
Key facts
- Merz's CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections.
- The CDU polled just 4.9% in former leader Angela Merkel's home state.
- Merz said he was 'grateful' the SPD wants to remain in coalition.
- Tens of thousands of autoworkers protested at plants including Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
- Volkswagen has announced plans to cut 100,000 jobs over the next three years.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was ‘grateful’ that the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) want to remain in coalition, following heavy losses for his own Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in two regional elections, according to the Guardian.
The scale of the CDU’s setback was underlined by its performance in the home state of former leader Angela Merkel, where the party polled just 4.9%. The results place pressure on Merz as he seeks to hold his governing coalition together.
At the same time, Germany’s industrial heartland is under strain. Tens of thousands of automotive workers at Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other car brands protested on factory floors across the country, demanding government and management help to save their jobs, the Guardian reported.
The pressure on jobs is significant. Volkswagen has announced plans to cut 100,000 jobs over the next three years, while BMW and Mercedes are also slashing their workforces.
The Guardian described the challenge as a ‘near-existential’ one, driven by the rise of Chinese EV carmakers offering cheaper and in some cases more advanced models. Germany’s carmakers, which have been slower to transition to electric vehicles, are selling fewer cars and need to retool to keep pace.
Union leaders, pointing to state support for Chinese car makers, are calling for government backing such as energy subsidies and financial help, or the introduction of trade protections. The concerns reflect wider worries about Europe’s industrial base being eroded by Chinese competition.
Why it matters
The election results and the SPD's decision on the coalition will shape the stability of Germany's federal government under Merz. Meanwhile, the crisis in the country's flagship car industry, driven by Chinese competition, carries major implications for jobs and Europe's broader industrial future.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Merz say he was grateful to the SPD?
According to the Guardian, Merz expressed gratitude that the centre-left SPD wants to stay in coalition after his CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections.
How badly did the CDU perform in the elections?
The CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections, including polling just 4.9% in the home state of former leader Angela Merkel.
Why are German autoworkers protesting?
Tens of thousands of workers at Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other brands protested for government and management help to save jobs, as Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 jobs over three years amid competition from Chinese EV makers.