Friedrich Merz’s new cabinet: his secret coup

In hidden, Friedrich Merz could be quite a coup at the division of department. And not even his party seems to understand that so far.

No, it is not about the staffing of the ministerial posts, which are now gradually seeping through. Rather, the division of the ministries between the parties is crucial. In migration and foreign policy, this could really ensure “CDU PUR”. Merz has focused on full concentration of power. It is his great chance of quick respect.

From the beginning, the Chancellor in SPE absolutely wanted the CDU/CSU to occupy the Chancellery, the Ministry of the Interior and – against every tradition – the Foreign Ministry. The latter usually gets the coalition partner.

It was Merz ‘personal wish that it turns out differently this time, so it can be heard. This triggered a lot of lack of understanding for their own people. What does the Union bring a weakened foreign office if Merz wants to bundle foreign policy in the Chancellery anyway? Why wasn’t the Ministry of Finance or Defense chosen instead?

There are two core ideas behind it: First, the SPD is now missing crucial veto rights in asylum and migration policy. CDU and CSU can almost alone coordinate and implement new rules. In the old coalition, the Federal Foreign Office under the Green politician Annalena Baerbock had often prevented deportations to the annoyance of the SPD and FDP, delayed discussions with countries such as Syria and Afghanistan and at the same time gave visa very freely. Keyword: voluntary entrance programs.

This will work differently under the designated Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul. For the CDU man, the appointment is a huge career step. The 62-year-old is considered a loyal to Merz-and well networked in Europe. An external office under his leadership should not make its own other foreign policy as it was under Baerbock. Instead, WADEPHUL is more likely to probe for Merz, form a kind of advance command. Olaf Scholz was dealing with an independent ex-chancellor candidate in the Federal Foreign Office. Merz can count on a conservative comrade.

Second, at best, the Chancellor can also make European policy out of one cast. Because in addition to the Chancellery and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which is responsible for this, is also in a black hand. Above all, the so -called “German Vote” is to be prevented. Germany had often contained in crucial questions in recent years because it was not agreed in Berlin and are thus braking up important EU projects.

In Brussels, Germany became more and more a laughing number. And was deregistered as a power factor. This should prevent the division of department in the new government. Merz also wants to introduce additional “EU monitoring” to the Chancellery in order to quickly recognize conflicts. The National Security Council, which has also recently been located there, is intended to promote and accelerate coordination.

Yes, the 69-year-old has to pay a high price with himself and his party for this concentration of foreign policy power. In the future, the SPD has its hand at the finance department, remains the keeper of the growing social spending and can also spend the many funds in the field of defense. The CDU has to deal with problem departments such as health (care and hospital reform …) and traffic (Deutsche Bahn …).

At the same time, it is not certain that the distribution of department alone dissolves political problems: at the request of the CSU, the role of the coalition committee was strengthened, and the political groups will also play an important role. So was that really worth it? Friedrich Merz will have to be measured by the answer to this question.

If the cut it planned by it leads to Germany again contributes to a powerful Europe instead of slowing down the Union; When Germany, alongside France, Great Britain and Italy, becomes an audible voice in the world again; If a stringent migration policy was finally implemented – then this strategy could work.

If there is no foreign policy success, Merz ‘impact could be all the more violent. And the anger in the party.