What do the previous center-left coalition government of Social Democrats (SPD), environmentalist Greens and the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP) and the new alliance of the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU), Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU), and the SPD have in common? Apart from the fact that both of them took around 10 weeks to form a coalition agreement, not much. At least, that's what the conservative parties maintain.

"The change in direction that many of the population want is set down on paper," said CSU leader Markus Söder at the signing of the coalition agreement in early May. "Strengthening the economy, limiting illegal migration, putting Germany back in order, and giving it new momentum." And he added, this must now be done "at top speed."

Among the Social Democrats, however, there is little inclination to fundamentally change everything that they had put in place over the past three and a half years in power. They are resisting overly drastic cuts, especially in social policy.

The chancellery is now back in the hands of the CDU. Its leader, Friedrich Merz, has become the head of government, while SPD leader Lars Klingbeil is his vice chancellor and finance minister. In total, there are 17 ministries. The CDU and SPD each lead seven, the CSU three. What is striking is that the CDU has........

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