German Coalition Talks Face Stalemate Over Migration and Budget Disputes

The CDU and SPD struggle to reconcile policy differences as AfD gains popularity and public support for the CDU declines.

The CDU and SPD are negotiating a coalition agreement after February's federal election, with unresolved disputes over migration, economic priorities, and budget cuts.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has softened his pre-election migration stance, focusing on integration and dual citizenship, drawing criticism from the far-right AfD.
The SPD advocates for migrant amnesty and integration policies, clashing with the CDU's preference for stricter border controls and deportations.
The coalition has agreed on a €1 trillion borrowing plan for defense and infrastructure investments but remains divided on taxation and spending cuts.
Recent polling shows declining support for the CDU, while the AfD has reached record popularity, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with mainstream parties.