2026 – Germany and Its Reforms

The government led by incumbent Federal Chancellor Dr. Friedrich Merz has now been in office for exactly nine months. It is high time to take a close look to see where their work is bearing fruit and where it is not. As a visual artist in Germany, I believe that Merz’s team has accurately assessed the international situation and is, by and large, positioning our country with a forward-looking perspective. Of particular note here are the transatlantic relationship with the USA and the renewed, more cohesive European unity operating within the framework of the EU. Especially in times of protectionism and isolationism, it is crucial to forge cross-border alliances and to seize the opportunities that arise from them particularly in the realm of trade. In this regard, the EU has recently signed an agreement with India and, after years of arduous negotiation, finalized the Mercosur trade agreement with South America. In times of profound disruption, alliances and the overcoming of self-interest are the true gold of a functioning society. This holds true both for the German state and its international orientation, as well as for its integration into the European concert of nations.

Germany in the EU

European unity is more important than ever these days, for it is only within this cross-border alliance that the German voice finds an audience. I believe the treaties discussed in recent weeks represent a positive next step for the political and economic direction of our country. They also provide companies in Germany with a new framework within which growth can continue. In my view, largely free trade is a fundamental prerequisite for an enduring, peace-oriented global order. In times of significant international polarization, an alliance of nations guided by values ​​such as tolerance, participation, and prosperity serves as an anchor for global politics.

Engaging with Others and the Supposedly Alien

When I look at the decisions made by the Merz administration regarding immigration and refugee policy, I perceive a fear of being overrun by foreigners as well as an apprehension regarding a loss of power to the right-wing AfD. The people arriving here predominantly from the Arab cultural sphere are mostly young and ready to roll up their sleeves to build a future for themselves in our country. Asylum shelters where refugees are treated very poorly breed aggression among them aggression that ultimately erupts in the form of violence. Recent and increasingly frequent incidents of this nature demand close scrutiny before any judgment is passed including upon the perpetrators themselves.

High spending based on debt

Another question I would pose to the German Federal Chancellor is whether it was, in fact, necessary immediately following the formation of the cabinet in May 2025 to commit the staggering sum of € 500 billion to modernize Germany. The state did not possess these funds; it had to incur debt to raise them. Reforms of the kind Merz is currently pursuing aim to cut social benefits for their recipients. In doing so, Merz jeopardizes the much-vaunted "social peace" in Germany. Such measures would create further fissures in a societal fabric already battered and weakened by the coronavirus pandemic. The need for action is far more urgent regarding a reform of the tax system, a streamlining of the public administration, and a reform of the education system specifically with a view to scaling back the costly civil service, an institution that dates back to the Prussian era.

Conclusion:

I understand the dissatisfaction that many Germans currently feel toward the Federal Chancellor. Domestically, the country finds itself in a precarious position. Unemployment is rising, and bankruptcies are on the increase. There are few incentives to invest, and energy costs are spiraling upward – people across the country are seeking security. Unbridled optimism is out of place here. Yet complaining only makes the situation worse. Thoughtful reflection and ideas aimed at fostering prosperity and joy during these confrontational times offer a path toward finding a smile. :D