Politics · Germany · 1 day ago
Seehofer says Merz has lost public trust over broken promises
Horst Seehofer, a former Bavarian state premier and former leader of the CSU, has criticized Germany’s governing coalition in Berlin.
He says Chancellor Friedrich Merz has lost public trust by failing to keep promises, including a pledge to cut electricity tax for everyone.
Seehofer also says the government should work faster and rely less on expert commissions.
He argues that people need relief as debts, taxes, rents and energy costs rise.
He also criticized remarks suggesting that Germans work too little or take too much sick leave, saying they ignore the reality of workers such as nurses.
Seehofer called for a major change in the coalition’s approach, but no specific next step is given.
Horst Seehofer says Friedrich Merz has suffered a major loss of credibility because of broken election promises.
He cites the unfulfilled promise to cut electricity tax for everyone in the CDU and CSU’s immediate programme.
Seehofer calls for the governing coalition to work faster and rely less on new expert commissions.
He says people need relief from rising debt, taxes, rents and energy costs.
He also criticises remarks suggesting Germans work too little and take too many sick days.
- Who
- Horst Seehofer, former Bavarian minister-president and CSU honorary chairman, is criticising Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the governing coalition.
- What
- Seehofer says Merz has lost public trust after broken promises and calls for changes to the coalition’s working methods.
- When
- The article was published on October 10, 2026; the interview date is not stated.
- Where
- Berlin, where the governing coalition is based. Seehofer’s comments were given to Bild.
- Why
- Seehofer says broken promises, including the failure to cut electricity tax, have damaged Merz’s credibility.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Friedrich Merz has suffered a massive loss of credibility through breaking election promises. The CDU and CSU’s immediate programme promised first of all a reduction in electricity tax for everyone — nothing has happened.
We need significantly more speed and significantly less self-occupation.
Trust in authentic action is the most important factor in politics. Merz does not have that.
Statements that Germans work too little and take too many sick days hurt people.
The programme promised a reduction in electricity tax for everyone, but Seehofer said it had not happened.
n-tv published Seehofer’s criticism of Merz and the governing coalition.
- Critic
- Horst Seehofer
- Chancellor criticised
- Friedrich Merz
- Unfulfilled pledge cited
- A cut in electricity tax for everyone
- Outlet
- n-tv
- Publication date
- October 10, 2026
Sources
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