Germany news: Merz urges CDU discipline as pressure grows

Germany news: Merz urges CDU discipline as pressure grows Published September 14, 2026last updated September 14, 2026What you need to know - Friedrich Merz has urged his party to stay focused as criticism of his leadership grows after the CDU’s defeat to the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt - Coalition partners and opposition parties are now openly questioning what happens next - Germany's homeownership rate has fallen to 43.5%, its lowest level in 20 years - A study blames high construction costs, higher interest rates and housing policy Here is a roundup of top stories from and about Germany on Monday, September 14, 2026: Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add DW as a Preferred Source on Google. SPD says coalition is not dependent on Merz staying chancellor Senior figures in the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) have expressed growing concern about the turmoil inside Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU). They also made clear that their party's participation in the coalition is not dependent on Merz remaining chancellor. SPD parliamentary manager Dirk Wiese said there was an impression that "nerves are a little frayed within the CDU" and urged the coalition partner to regain its focus and move ahead with reforms agreed by the government. Asked whether those reforms necessarily had to be implemented with Merz as chancellor, Wiese declined to commit himself, saying instead that Merz needed to adopt a different tone. SPD parliamentary deputy leader Siemtje Möller was more explicit. She said her party's participation in the governing coalition was not tied to Merz personally. Merz urges CDU unity as pressure mounts German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to remain disciplined as criticism of his leadership grows following the party's election defeat in Saxony-Anhalt. Speaking at an international Arctic policy meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland, Merz said Germany was playing an important role in determining "the fate of the European continent," particularly on security policy. He said he was therefore trying to convince "my colleagues, my friends, my party, my parliamentary group that this is much more important than some of the domestic political debates we are currently having." "I understand this domestic political debate," Merz added. Merz has faced mounting criticism within the CDU since the party's poor performance in the Saxony-Anhalt election, with some members openly discussing whether he should be replaced. Several prominent CDU politicians nevertheless backed the chancellor on Monday. "I still believe in Friedrich Merz," CDU budget policy spokesman Matthias Middelberg told the broadcaster Deutschlandfunk, calling the leadership debate "unnecessary." Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Merz could "always rely on the support of the governing parliamentary groups and his Cabinet," describing the government as "really very stable." Green leader tells Merz coalition: 'Get your s--- together' Green Party co-leader Felix Banaszak has told Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government to "get your s--- together" amid growing speculation over a possible change of chancellor. "I am extremely irritated by all the speculation that is coming from everywhere," Banaszak said in Berlin on Monday. "And my expectation is very clear: Get your s--- together. We are living in such dramatic times." Banaszak said that, though he had not voted for Merz, the chancellor and his coalition had been elected and had a responsibility to govern the country. The Green politician pointed to discussions about minority governments, the possible dismissal of ministers from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and scenarios involving an early replacement of Merz. He said the debates suggested that Merz and the leadership of his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) were losing control both of the coalition and of discussions within their own party. "That is not a good sign," Banaszak said. Germany’s largest union calling for nationwide protests over auto sector job cuts The German union IG Metall is calling for demonstrations in more than 200 locations across the country on September 21. The demonstrations will be held to protest job cuts and other demands being made of workers in the auto industry. Christiane Benner, leader of IG Metall, said most of the sector's crisis is falling on employees. "We are currently witnessing an unprecedented attack on workers in the auto industry," she said, adding that the union's main concern is the risk of losing the 35-hour workweek, a standard in the German auto sector. Employers' demands in times of crisis Due to the current challenges facing the sector, automakers are proposing an increase to a 40-hour workweek with no wage adjustments. Jens Schäfer, chairman of the ZF Automotive Works Council in Hanover, said this would mean five additional hours of work without extra pay. "That's driving colleagues crazy," he said, adding that it would also lead to more job losses. Benner said workers have already made sacrifices, including concessions in collective bargaining agreements and pay concessions worth billions of euros, while companies continue to pay dividends and management has faced no consequences for past mistakes. IG Metall's goal is to mobilize more than 100,000 people on September 21. Merz congratulates Zverev on US Open victory German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has congratulated Alexander Zverev on winning the US Open, his second Grand Slam title of the season. The German defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in Sunday's final in New York. "First Paris, now New York: Heartfelt congratulations, dear Alex Zverev, on the well-deserved US Open victory and your second Grand Slam title in a season. Stellar performance!" Merz wrote on X. Zverev also won the French Open in June. Merz called him after that victory to offer his congratulations. Nearly half of German schoolchildren report sleep problems Almost half of schoolchildren in Germany say they regularly have problems sleeping, according to a new survey published by health insurer DAK-Gesundheit. The survey found that 46% of pupils in grades five to 10 experience sleep problems at least once a week, up from 36% in the 2019/2020 school year. At the same time, 69% said they felt drained or exhausted at least once a week. Three years ago, the figure was 52%. Michael Hubmann, president of Germany's professional association of pediatricians, pointed to excessive media use as one factor behind the increase in sleep and exhaustion problems. "Children and adolescents who use social media until late in the evening or consume disturbing videos triggered by algorithms are being kept from healthy sleep," he said. DAK chief executive Andreas Storm warned that persistent exhaustion and sleep problems could make it harder for children to learn successfully. "Anyone who is already exhausted at a young age or even suffers from sleep disorders and does not know how to deal with such pressures has worse conditions for successful learning," he said. Germany to order 4th new signals intelligence ship German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced that Germany will acquire a fourth signals intelligence ship. "These ships can hear and see what others cannot. They are our eyes and ears at sea. They perceive and analyze a vast range of signals and sounds," the minister said during a keel-laying ceremony for the third ship of this type to be built by the German company Rheinmetall. The acquisition is part of a budget proposal that is pending parliamentary approval, he added. Pistorius also said the ships were essential for providing situational awareness and enabling precise maneuvering in times of increasing insecurity. The new class of ships are expected to be delivered to the German Navy from 2029. Germany sees slowing economic momentum in 3rd quarter The German Ministry of Economy says the country is experiencing an economic slowdown at the beginning of the third quarter. "The economic boom in energy-intensive industries, which was driven by increased foreign demand in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East, appears to be slowing down," the ministry said in its monthly report. High energy costs have caused domestic consumption to decline considerably, a trend also driven by the conflict, the report said. Berlin businesswoman charged over alleged spying for Russia German federal prosecutors have charged a 57-year-old Berlin businesswoman with carrying out intelligence activities for Russia. Ilona W., who holds German and Ukrainian citizenship, is accused of working for the intelligence service of a foreign power, the Federal Prosecutor's Office said. She was arrested on January 21 and remains in pre-trial detention. Read more about this story here. Germany's homeownership rate falls to 20-year low Fewer people in Germany are living in homes they own, with the country's homeownership rate falling to its lowest level in 20 years, according to a study. The rate now stands at 43.5%, the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper reported, citing research by the Pestel Institute. Institute director Matthias Günther said Germany ranked last in Europe for homeownership. Günther pointed to high construction costs, higher interest rates and housing policy over recent years. "Even where property prices are stagnating or falling, even dual-income households on average salaries are barely able to afford a home of their own," he said. According to the study, residential construction costs have risen by 160% since 2000, compared with a 64% increase in overall consumer prices. Younger people are bearing much of the impact, Günther said. Almost three-quarters of people aged 25 to 45 currently live in rented accommodation, the study found. Germany and Hungary seek reset after political change Germany and Hungary have "an enormous amount of catching up to do" in their diplomatic relations, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said. The politician is visiting Hungary as the first German foreign minister to do so in almost seven years. "Hungary and Germany are opening a new chapter together," Wadephul said before his departure. He said the political change in Hungary offered an opportunity to rebuild relations "at great speed" on a foundation of mutual trust and reliability. Hungary's new government had launched important reforms within a short period, he said, adding that a return to the rule of law and implementation of EU requirements were good news both for Europe and for Hungarians. The nationalist Fidesz party of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban was voted out of office in April. Orban had faced years of criticism from the EU over concerns about democracy and the rule of law. Since May, conservative Prime Minister Peter Magyar has led a new pro-European government. Wadephul said predictable rules and the rule of law were important not only for public confidence but also for companies considering investment. "If fair and reliable competitive conditions once again apply to companies from all EU member states, Hungary's economy will benefit considerably," he said. German companies already account for around 250,000 jobs in Hungary, according to Wadephul. A delegation of German business representatives is accompanying him to Budapest to discuss what further steps are needed. Welcome to our coverage Guten Tag from DW's newsroom in Bonn. Germany is looking for a fresh start with Hungary after years of strained relations. Relations had been difficult under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose nationalist Fidesz party faced years of criticism from the European Union over democracy and the rule of law. In other news, fewer people in Germany are living in homes they own, according to research, with the country now ranking last in Europe for homeownership. Stay with us here for these stories and more of what Germany is talking about today.