Merz faces authority crisis as Union-SPD coalition strains over budget and reforms

Following the Sachsen-Anhalt election, the Union and SPD are clashing over social reforms and the budget, with political scientist Werner Patzelt assessing Chancellor Merz's position as 'pretty hopeless.' This signals growing intra-coalition friction and a potential erosion of Merz's authority, which could complicate legislative agenda and market confidence in German governance.