The new coalition government of Germany was sworn into office on 06.05.2025 under the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU/CSU) and Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) both Chairs of their parties. The set-up of the new government is another lesson in the basics of democracy which can be witnessed around the world in history and space.
Lars Klingbeil and other leading figures in the SPD have brought down the importance of the SPD for Germany to a record low of 15,6%. Once standing proud and courageous against Adolf Hitler or bringing hope to Germans under Willy Brandt and worldwide recognition under Helmut Schmidt the current leaders have no personal, professional, or political significant experience and stamina. Like beattles turned onto their backs they struggle to be relevant. When Lars Klingbeil introduced his cabinet members he avoided a debate and presented their names hours before the swearing-in ceremony. The new SPD ministers are not known to the wider public even SPD insiders shake their heads in disbelief. These figures have no political basis in the party nor a track record of professional or personal excellence. A weak leader likes to surround himself with weak or weaker comrades, not with people who can equal him or outstand him. Except for the potential next SPD Chancellor candidate Boris Pistorius, the SPD cabinet ministers are newcomers in German Federal politics and national responsibility. In times of turmoil, this tactic is personally beneficial but for the party at large and the country devastating a blueprint for another brake up of a German coalition.
Friedrich Merz on the other hand has surrounded himself with well-known CDU/CSU cabinet Ministers who have a profound professional track record of good or excellent achievements. Merz himself is a Self-Made Millionaire through positions in e.g. US based company Black Rock and mandates as a corporate lawyer. He commutes with his aircraft as his pilot between Berlin and his home in Saarland near the German-French border. Once having lost against Angela Merkel and voted for as German Chancellor in the second round he is well tested by life. Whether this will translate into success before the foreseeable breakup of the coalition well in time must be seen. Two conflicting personalities and personals with the need to preserve specific political profiles to serve their base and potential voters well is a dance on hot coal walking the knife edge. Political ambitions glue two diverting parties and leaders together under the umbrella of enthusiasm to perform political powers. Once the honeymoon fades away and the routine of daily life sets in…differences take control of politics.
The unfolding Shakespeare drama of Romeo and Juliet is another showcase of the principles of democracy. Democracy in general does not bring forth personalities of excellence. Voters are mostly people going about their daily work. They want a reflection of themselves in their political leaders not seen as heroes of excellence ruling over them. This would make them look stupid and shameful especially potentially seeing heroes from down-under who made it to sit on the throne of leadership; this scares them more than anything else. Leaders in culture, social life, and economy awarded with Nobel Prizes or comparable honors are not Ministers for Health, Environment, Social Care, Trade or Industry (Business Tycoons, Inventors), or Education (Philosophers, Authors, Actors, Journalists), etc. but are recruited from the second or lower level of society. The representatives of the top level of society prefer to stay on their level and not lower themselves down to the darkness of politics and their dirty games.
Democratic elected leaders have not been given the honor to be called „The Great“Only rare exceptional leaders of the second layer of society have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize or other high honors of international communities and countries. The title „The Great“was given by the people to their first class mostly royal leaders standing out in history. Modern-day heroes like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Thomas Sankara (Burkina Faso), Captain Ibrahim Traore (Burkina Faso), and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) are tough leaders brought to light through the troubles of democracy caused to their nations in Africa. They are personalities that stand out among other African leaders taking bribes from foreign countries and forcing their will onto their people. Even democracy of the past brought them to power through elections or coups their people honor their initiatives based on their personalities and not party affiliations and manifestos. Political parties are the design of democracy their nice dresses while personalities and their visions for their nations are the sweetness of history.
When a country is in an essential and fundamental crisis democratic discussions delay swift solutions and create chaos among the people. A wise nation is a nation that knows the toolbox of history and chooses the right one at the right time.
