First government statement: A scandal and millionaire accusations from the Left: This is how the day went in the Bundestag

Friedrich Merz's first government statement was eagerly awaited. But it fell short of expectations. Like many other things.

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) with his deputy Lars Klingbeil (SPD) after the government statement in the plenary session of the Bundestag Katharina Kausche/dpa

From the outset, it's clear how Friedrich Merz (CDU) wants to be perceived: as a chancellor of clarity, strength, and consistency. On Wednesday, he appears in the Bundestag – not triumphant, but emphatically statesmanlike. The new head of government speaks for 45 minutes, and his tone alone reveals: This isn't someone seeking approval, but someone who wants to bring the country into line. Germany must make an effort, restructure, and renew itself. And—of course—"through its own efforts."

Merz's first government statement is a program of self-discipline. He speaks of bureaucracy , dilapidated infrastructure, overpriced energy – all things that must be "addressed." The German economy, he says, is still competitive, but under poor conditions. So, now it's time to restructure. An "economic awakening" is supposed to take place. But when exactly remains open. Concrete dates? They'll come later. Maybe.

As early as summer, Merz promises, the population should "feel" that "something is changing for the better." The Germans, in other words, should be the sensors. But what is currently lacking are robust measures – and, above all, politically viable majorities to even implement them. While Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei (also CDU) announces that a plan for the "coming weeks and months" will be presented "in the next few days," SPD Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil is already promising the budget. Sometime. In June.

Energy prices should fall and companies should be relieved of the burden – but when?

It's a start with a lot of promise – but also with many gaps. Energy prices are to be lowered, businesses are to be relieved of their burdens, a new "generational contract" is to be created, and the plan is to "build, build, build" to combat the housing shortage. But how? And with what? And, above all, when? Merz isn't saying. Perhaps he doesn't even know.

Since his rocky start in office, which he only won in the second round of voting, the new chancellor has presented himself as charged and determined. Nevertheless, his speech was rather lukewarm, and little of it will be remembered, even though Merz is actually considered an accomplished speaker. He has already had his first mishaps: his 30-day ultimatum to Russian President Putin was shrugged off in Moscow , his new migration policy is causing friction within the coalition, and budget policy is on hold. These are the first injuries for a chancellor who has resolved "to stop describing and solve problems." The will is there, the tools are still lacking.

At least: When it comes to the Bundeswehr, Merz is clear

At least Merz is clear on the subject of the Bundeswehr . The German army is to become the strongest in Europe – in theory, that sounds impressive, but in practice, supply bottlenecks, skilled labor shortages, and constitutional clauses threaten. On Ukraine, too, he remains on Scholz's course: solidarity yes, war party no. A "dictated peace" at Putin's mercy is out of the question, Merz emphasizes. In foreign policy, he is committed to cooperation with Donald Trump – which can be interpreted as diplomatic pragmatism. Or as a risky game of poker with an unpredictable partner.

The Chancellor speaks clearly about Israel, condemning anti-Semitism as "unbearable." However, he says nothing about the growing criticism of the Israeli government's actions in the Gaza Strip. This, too, is a form of assertion. Silence can sometimes speak louder than a statement.

Merz, who is otherwise known for his impulsiveness, was not distracted on Wednesday by heckles – especially from the ranks of the AfD. He stared stubbornly straight ahead, avoiding all eye contact. Towards the end, there was still potential for a scandal. When Merz addressed the war in the Middle East, Hamas terror, and the humanitarian emergency in Gaza , there was an heckler from the ranks of the Left Party: "This is not war, but genocide." Immediately after Merz's speech, Bundestag President Klöckner made it clear: "We do not want to leave this unchallenged, especially not shortly after the death of Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer . Any relativization is forbidden here." Some in the VIP box nodded; there were no celebrities here today, just a crowd of schoolchildren who, three speeches later, seemed bored and whispered to one another.

Heidi Reichinnek criticizes the chaotic start of the new government

And the ensuing debate is also rather lame. Only Left Party rising star Heidi Reichinnek brings some momentum back to the plenary session in the afternoon, when she lashes out at the Chancellor and the new government: "Chapeau! The chaos you've caused in the weeks since the election alone makes even the traffic light coalition green with envy." Reichinnek wants to know whether the situation at the borders is now an emergency or not. But where is the emergency, she asks – the number of asylum applications has plummeted over the past two years, and rejections at the border will be stopped by the courts sooner or later. "When will you finally understand that we have to combat the causes of flight instead of refugees, and provide the municipalities with adequate resources?"

The Left Party cites bus routes, swimming pools, and libraries as important to people's everyday lives. And addresses Merz directly: "But how are you supposed to know what concerns people? As a millionaire, completely removed from the everyday lives of millions?" Reichinnek speaks of housing policy, one of her party's main issues. "Rents aren't simply rising, they're being increased. And behind all these rent increases lie people's fates." And: "We need a rent cap and not just building, building, building, but investments in social housing." The Chancellor sits silently, mostly looking down, his expression rigid.

A short time later, the new Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer , speaks, defending himself against accusations from the Greens and the Left that he wants to promote a right-wing culture war. Weimer also refers to the commemoration in honor of Margot Friedländer and declares war on "trivialization, historical revisionism, or even relativism." He says that cultural projects "that pursue anti-Semitic goals, even in a rudimentary or covert manner, will no longer receive financial support."

He receives applause from the now almost empty rows of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, to which the new Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephu l, will later address. The air has gone out of the room; there are hardly any MPs to be seen in the corridors, and the government bench is also emptying. Instead, a new group of giggling youths rushes onto the platform.

Merz talks about “growth locomotive” and discipline

At around 4:40 p.m., the Chancellor leaves the plenary session, clutching a blue briefcase, just as independent MP Stefan Seidler of the South Schleswig Voters' Association (SSW) begins his remarks. Seidler says he would have preferred Merz to speak more clearly to the opponents of liberal democracy. The Chancellor is already out.

What remains from this first government statement is the impression of a leader who wants a lot, says a lot, and has now promised far too much. A new tone prevails in the Bundestag – away from the technocrat Scholz and toward a conservative, decisive leader. The Chancellor speaks of responsibility, discipline, and renewal. Germany, Merz said, needs a "growth engine." At the moment, his government seems more like a train on hold: punctually stepping up to the microphone, but still without a fixed schedule.