SPD Divided on Friedrich Merz as Chancellor Amid Coalition Talks

As CDU and SPD begin coalition negotiations, some SPD lawmakers express strong opposition to supporting Merz for chancellor.

At least eight SPD Bundestag members have stated they would not vote to elect CDU leader Friedrich Merz as chancellor, citing deep political differences.
Concerns among SPD dissenters include mistrust of Merz’s leadership and his alignment with conservative and neoliberal policies.
SPD lawmaker Sebastian Roloff suggested that more than 15 SPD members might struggle to support a coalition with the CDU under Merz’s leadership.
The CDU's recent collaboration with the AfD on migration policy has further strained relations with some SPD members.
Despite internal divisions, coalition talks between the CDU and SPD formally began five days after the Bundestag election, with further negotiations scheduled.