A rift has opened up in Germany’s ruling Christian Democrat Union party (CDU) in recent days, following harsh words of criticism by economics minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) about the party’s junior coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) reportedly told confidantes he was “alienated” by the strife that Reiche was creating, and the party’s labour movement has called for her resignation.
Meanwhile, several influential conservatives have come to Reiche’s aid, praising her words as a long-overdue reckoning with the disproportionate influence of SPD on government politics.
On April 10, Reiche held a press conference in which she openly criticised SPD finance minister Lars Klingbeil and his ilk – following internal discussions about how to relieve Germans in times of rising fuel prices.
Previously, SPD leader Klingbeil had publicly suggested introducing price caps on petrol and diesel, and to charge “excess profit taxes” on oil companies.
Reiche said: “In recent weeks, the coalition partner has attracted attention for putting forward proposals that are costly, ineffective and constitutionally questionable. This causes confusion and does not help consumers.
“I am in favour of measures which are economically reasonable, targeted, and – at the end of the day – easy on the budget.”
Volle Breitseite von Reiche gegen Klingbeil: "Der Koalitionspartner ist (..) damit aufgefallen, Vorschläge zu unterbreiten, die teuer, wirkungsschwach und verfassungsrechtlich fragwürdig sind." pic.twitter.com/HVacLZFODL
— Gr@ntlɘr 🥨🍺 (@oida_grantler) April 10, 2026
Reiche went on to explains why the SPD’s suggestions conformed with neither of these criteria, calling the proposed excess profit tax “expensive, weak and constitutionally questionable”.
Merz consequently urged restraint from his minister, reportedly telling party colleagues that he was “alienated by the public exchange of blows”. German media reported on April 11 that the CDU held “heated internal debates” on the issue.
Since the start of his coalition government, Merz has gone out of his way to avoid confrontation and placate his junior coalition partner. Since the CDU has repeatedly vowed not to co-operate with the right-wing Alternative for Germany party (AfD), the Social Democrats are his only option to remain in power.
This gives the left-wingers big leverage, even though they barely got half the votes of the CDU at the February 2025 election (29 per cent vs 16 per cent).
Also April 11, Christian Bäumler, deputy chairman of the CDU’s labour wing (CSA), came to Merz’ aid, demanding Reiche’s resignation as she would secretly vie for a coalition with AfD.
Bäumler said: “Anyone who like Reiche defies the Chancellor and refuses to compromise with the SPD on fuel process is seeking a different coalition.”
Reiche’s direct words were well-received by the CDU’s pro-business wing (PKM). Yesterday, PKM Chairman Christian von Stetten told news portal The Pioneer: “In substance, the minister is absolutely right and has the full backing of her parliamentary group.”
No matter which part of the conservative party wins the argument, it seems that one loser is already predetermined.
As policy expert Albrecht von Lucke told news station ntv yesterday: “Merz’s authority has been seriously damaged … Once again, his weakness has become apparent. An inability to make up his mind, a lack of decisiveness in domestic policy.
“A lack of leadership, which he has made abundantly clear and that is now coming back to haunt him.”
