Merz Rules Out Minority Government as Coalition Strain Persists

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected speculation that he could abandon his ruling coalition with the Social Democrats and lead a minority government, vowing to stick with the alliance despite persistent tensions.

Speaking at a Sueddeutsche Zeitung forum on Monday, the conservative leader said that “of course” his governing alliance would still be in power in a year, and dismissed conjecture that he could eventually continue his term without the center-left SPD.