Pace of change strains Merz’s coalition

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has driven sweeping changes in security, economic and migration policy during his first 100 days in office, but faces widening cracks in his uneasy coalition.

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On election night in February, a jubilant Merz promised to bring a bit of "rambo zambo" to the post — using a colloquialism that can evoke a wild and joyous ride, or chaos and mayhem.

Having achieved his life’s ambition at age 69 to run Europe's top economy, Mr Merz lost no time to push change, mostly in response to transatlantic turbulence sparked by US President Donald Trump.

"Germany is back," Mr Merz said, vowing to revive the economy, the military and Berlin’s international standing after what he labelled three lacklustre years under his centre-left predecessor Olaf Scholz.