Yasemin Aydın*
Last week, Germany’s “traffic light” coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) collapsed over fundamental economic disagreements, leading to the unraveling of a government that promised reform but ultimately struggled under the weight of its contradictions. What might seem like yet another political crisis is part of a deeper transformation, with societal cohesion itself at stake. Rising populist rhetoric and a surge in far-right sentiment have begun to weaken Germany’s traditionally strong culture of consensus and respect, a shift that points to a country at a crossroads.
The latest German parliament (Bundestag) session on Wednesday could have descended into bitter partisanship, yet leaders of Germany’s centrist parties struck a surprising tone of civility, adopting what seemed to be a collective effort to revive Germany’s culture of respectful, consensus-driven politics. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, former FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who was fired by Scholz last week, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Greens and SPD chairman Rolf Mützenich spoke with measured words and mutual respect, in a rare display of decorum in a climate where political norms are increasingly under siege. This gesture was a reminder of Germany’s long-held values, a hint of the stability and unity that has long been a bedrock of its national identity. But in today’s Germany, one gripped by economic uncertainty and societal division, such appeals to unity face an uphill battle against a rising tide of populism that threatens to dismantle the very foundations of democratic dialogue.
Chancellor Scholz’s emphasis on the “path of compromise” recalls Germany’s postwar commitment to harmony, a political culture built on dialogue, coalition-building and restraint. His cautious stance on military support for Ukraine is emblematic of Germany’s postwar pacifism, reflecting the country’s deep-seated caution toward military intervention. Yet in today’s polarized atmosphere, this reluctance has been seized upon by populist groups who frame it as indecisiveness, or worse, weakness. Scholz’s insistence on protecting pension levels is a nod to the social contract that underpins Germany’s welfare state, but at a time when economic disparity is growing, such assurances can sound hollow to those increasingly frustrated with what they see as a government unable to meet their needs. The ideal of compromise may be deeply woven into Germany’s political culture, but today, it struggles against populist forces that reduce policy debates to divisive, zero-sum conflicts.
Mützenich also championed civility, appealing for a “minimum decency” in political discourse. His apology to opposition leader Merz over a fake video incident was an attempt to reset a strained political environment, but it risks being seen as mere posturing in a Germany where populist narratives are quick to capitalize on every misstep. Mützenich’s acknowledgment of the government’s financial limitations reflects the difficult choices that lie ahead: Germany’s prized social safety net is under pressure, and it’s a reality that undermines the stability of German society. For far-right groups, economic uncertainty is a fertile ground, a platform to blame elites and exploit disenchantment, portraying the government as out of touch and ineffective. The chasm between political elites and the public grows wider, eroding trust and creating opportunities for extremism.
Merz, leader of the opposition, also sought to model a respectful critique of the ruling parties. His measured tone, while in stark contrast to the bombastic rhetoric of the populist right, reflects the struggle of Germany’s political center to adapt to a new reality where extremism thrives on outrage and polarization. Merz voiced objections to SPD policies on pensions and welfare, but he refrained from personal attacks, choosing instead to stick to policy issues. This might once have been a strength, a sign of constructive opposition; today, it risks seeming elitist and detached in a country where populist rhetoric is becoming a powerful tool, and where anger resonates more than decorum.
Baerbock’s call for unity was perhaps the most direct appeal to Germany’s collective identity, hearkening back to the pandemic, when Germany had, for a time, come together in crisis. Baerbock invoked “decency, commitment, and responsibility” — values that once underpinned German society — but these virtues are increasingly contested in a climate where far-right factions cast them as elitist platitudes. Germany’s social fabric, frayed by years of economic and political uncertainty, is under strain; populist groups have deftly framed these traditional values as detached from the struggles of everyday citizens, deepening divisions and eroding the collective resilience Baerbock called for.
The clearest signal of Germany’s shifting political terrain came from the speech of Markus Söder, leader of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) and Bavarian minister-president. Initially, Söder struck a conciliatory tone, drawing a firm line against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and their rhetoric of hate. Yet he soon reverted to aggressive attacks on the Greens and their leader, Robert Habeck, calling for his resignation in a blistering tirade. Söder’s speech, punctuated by populist undertones, is a stark reminder that even those claiming the political center can be pulled toward inflammatory language in a climate where extremes are emboldened. His speech illustrates how quickly civility can give way to confrontation in a Germany where populism is no longer on the fringes but has become a powerful force that can reshape the national discourse, normalizing divisive language and encouraging hostility.
The Bundestag session, in many ways, was a microcosm of Germany’s identity crisis: an attempt to revive the country’s proud tradition of respect and unity, yet one that must contend with a society in flux, deeply divided and increasingly vulnerable to the allure of populist sentiment. As Germany heads toward early elections, the path forward is unclear. Can the country revive its tradition of unity and trust in the face of intensifying divides? Or will Germany find itself succumbing to the forces of division, where populism and far-right influence not only reshape political institutions but threaten the very social fabric that has defined Germany for generations? These questions hang heavy over a nation at a pivotal juncture, as Germany’s experiment in civility and compromise is tested as never before.
*Yasemin Aydın is a social anthropologist and social psychologist in Germany.