General debate: Merz in defense mode: Reforms are not a clear blow

Chancellor Friedrich Merz used the general debate in the Bundestag primarily to reject the opposition’s criticism of the coalition’s reform policy. He kept against the accusation that the government operated with its “clear cuts” plans on the welfare state. “The goal of the reforms we are on is not the demolition of the welfare state, but is the preservation of the welfare state, as we really need it,” said the CDU boss. He accused the opposition of painting a “distorted image” on the wall.

The general debate is considered the highlight of the consultations about the Federal Balentment 2026. Merz had already talked about the budget in 2025 in the previous week and urgently promoted support for reforms of the welfare state. As last Wednesday, the Chancellor did not become concrete.

Car and steel summits in the next few days

For the cabinet exam in the coming week, Merz promised far -reaching resolutions for state modernization to name without details. He also announced that the planned summit meets with the car and steel industry will take place in the next few days. It is about: “What can we do even more to keep these industries in Germany and to open up a good perspective in Germany.”

The Chancellor also rejected the opposition’s allegation, the Federal Government is looping climate policy. “Nothing could also be of reality,” he said. “We do climate protection without ideology.”

No word about Trump, Russia or Israel

Surprisingly, foreign policy saved Merz. He did not respond to the speech by US President Donald Trump before the UN General Assembly and also did not respond to the debate about a possible shooting of Russian fighter jets in the NATO airspace. Once again, he did not comment on the war in the Middle East and for discussion about a harder gait towards Israel.

For his speech in the general debate, Merz had given up participation in the UN General Assembly in New York. In the first few months of his term, he was repeatedly criticized for having traveled to Washington, Paris or Kiev with traveling to Washington, Paris or Kiev, but neglected domestic politics. The fact that he stays away from the UN General Assembly now also affects criticism.

Greens: “You should be in New York”

“You should be in New York,” said Green Group leader Britta Haßelmann. If it is about solutions for peace in the Middle East or the support of Ukraine, it would be the chance to be there. Haßelmann also spoke to Trump’s speech in New York, in which the US President had sharply attacked the UN. She asked Merz if he didn’t want to contradict Trump.

Union faction leader Jens Spahn (CDU) countered the criticism: “What kind of theater would you have done here today if he hadn’t been here today?” He asked.

The Chancellor again said that foreign and domestic politics could not be separated from each other. His commitment to foreign policy serves to preserve peace, freedom and prosperity “also and especially inside”. He emphasized that the entire western community of value was “before its perhaps the biggest test”. This has immediate consequences for the German economy, which is geared towards global markets and needs an open and rule -based world order.

AfD demands demolition of the fire wall

The general debate was first opened by Tino Chrupalla as head of the largest opposition group AfD. He indirectly called on the Chancellor to open up to work with the AfD: “Finally, tear the political walls and work with those who mean it really well with Germany and its citizens.” The whole thing has long been taking place in municipalities, district and state parliament.

AfD boss Alice Weidel commented similarly after criticizing the black and red coalition in her speech again. It is “to you, dear colleagues from the Union, to free yourself from the fire wall,” she said.

Green Group leader Haßelmann complained that Merz was put into a corner with the AfD. In doing so, she obviously referred to a reaction from the Chancellor to interjections from both political groups on his statements about climate protection. “The fact that the same interjections come from there and from there is quite revealing,” he said. Haßelmann described this as “bottomless and blatant”.

Left and green renew criticism of social reforms

In the debate, left and the Greens renewed their allegation, the red-black coalition plane social reduction. Left faction leader Heidi Reichinnek cited cuts in youth welfare, integration assistance and possible restrictions on services in the health system as examples. “We as the left won’t let you go through that,” she said.

Haßelmann accused Merz of causing a gap in society. “It was you who talked about social reduction that this country urgently needs.” The Greens, on the other hand, said that social reforms were urgently needed, and the black and red coalition takes too much time.

Miersch demands quick implementation of projects

For the SPD, parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch demanded more speed for the further projects of the federal government. “Mr. Chancellor, so I will really ask you to pay attention to you in the next few months: We will provide billions for the infrastructure, for social cohesion. But with a budget decision alone, nothing is yet important to people,” he said. Specifically, Miersch called for a rapid decision of the so -called construction turbot, which is intended to ensure that funds actually drain away for housing.