Overview

• The first joint retreat of Union and SPD parliamentary leaders started Thursday in Würzburg, hosted by CSU MP Alexander Hoffmann.
• Jens Spahn described recent frictions as fixable coordination problems and called for earlier, clearer communication.
• Delegations aim to map the second-half program, including the 2025/26 budgets, difficult social reforms and security policy, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expected.
• Internal tensions in the Union have flared over limiting electricity-tax cuts and over Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s partial pause on arms exports to Israel.
• Trust looms large after Merz needed a second ballot to be elected and a constitutional court appointment failed, with SPD leader Matthias Miersch insisting that commitments be honored.