Germany’s New Government in an Era of Global Challenges
Join us on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, from 6:30 to 7:30pm for an online event on Zoom with Dr. Nicolai von Ondarza and Dr. Matthias Dilling as they discuss Germany’s evolving political landscape following the coalition-building process. Our moderator is Prof. Louise K. Davidson-Schmich from the University of Miami. This event is a collaboration with the International Association for the Study of German Politics (IASGP). Germany’s conservative Christian Democrat-led bloc has secured 208 out of 630 seats in the Bundestag (the lower house of parliament) and is currently engaged in complex coalition negotiations with the social democrats, the SPD, to form a majority. With Friedrich Merz positioned as the likely new Chancellor, a coalition between the two parties will establish a narrow 52% majority in parliament with the opposition composed of the AfD (Alternative for Germany, 152 seats), Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (The Green Party, 85 seats), and Die Linke (The Left, 64 seats). Key questions the new government will face are around taxes and finance, social policy, and migration.
Nicolai von Ondarza is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and the Head of the EU/Europe Research Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin. His research focuses on Germany’s role in Europe, EU politics and institutions, EU–UK relations as well as democracy in Europe. As part of his work, he has consulted the German Government, the Bundestag, the UK government, the European Parliament and the European Commission.
Matthias Dilling is an assistant professor in political science and qualitative methods at Trinity College Dublin. His research is on the emergence and resilience of democratic institutions, political parties, and the far right. He is particularly interested in how political parties change and adapt to new challenges and what this means for the future of democracy.
Louise Davidson-Schmich is Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami. Her research interests include gender and politics as well as politics in long-term democracies.
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