Scholz cabinet

Scholz cabinet. The federal government of Germany led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, formed on 8 December 2021 following the 2021 German federal election. It is a traffic light coalition comprising the SPD, The Greens, and the FDP, marking the first three-party alliance at the federal level since the 1950s. The cabinet succeeded the Fourth Merkel cabinet and operates within the 20th Bundestag.

Formation and composition

Following the 2021 German federal election, which resulted in a fragmented Bundestag, exploratory talks began between the SPD, The Greens, and the FDP. The coalition negotiations, held at the Berliner Congress Center, culminated in the signing of a 177-page coalition treaty titled "Daring More Progress." Chancellor Olaf Scholz was elected by the Bundestag with 395 votes, succeeding Angela Merkel. Key ministerial appointments included Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock from The Greens as Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister respectively, and Christian Lindner of the FDP as Finance Minister. The cabinet initially comprised 16 ministers, with eight from the SPD, five from The Greens, and three from the FDP.

Policy agenda

The coalition's agenda, outlined in its treaty, prioritized major investments in climate protection and digital infrastructure. Central legislative initiatives included an accelerated expansion of renewable energy under the Easter package and the Onshore Wind Energy Act, aiming for 80% renewable power by 2030. The government also planned significant increases in the minimum wage and the construction of 400,000 new homes annually. Other key areas were modernizing the Bundeswehr, reforming citizenship laws, and legalizing recreational cannabis. The agenda faced immediate pressure to adapt following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which triggered a profound re-evaluation of energy and security policy.

Domestic affairs

The cabinet navigated multiple domestic crises, beginning with the severe economic repercussions of the Russia–Ukraine war and subsequent energy crisis. The government enacted massive relief packages, including the €200 billion "defensive shield", and extended the operational life of nuclear power plants. It also passed the €49 Deutschland-Ticket for nationwide public transport. Internal tensions surfaced over budgetary matters, notably the constitutional budget crisis in 2023 stemming from a Federal Constitutional Court ruling on the Climate and Transformation Fund. The cabinet's legislative achievements included the Skilled Immigration Act and the Self-Determination Act, though the latter faced criticism from the CDU and AfD.

Foreign policy

The invasion of Ukraine became the defining foreign policy challenge, prompting a historic shift in German foreign policy known as the Zeitenwende. Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a special Bundeswehr fund of €100 billion and major increases in defense spending. Germany became a leading supplier of military aid to Ukraine, including Leopard 2 tanks and Patriot systems. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock championed a values-based foreign policy, strengthening ties with the European Union and NATO, while managing complex relations with China and advocating for a tougher stance on human rights. The government also worked to diversify energy supplies, securing liquefied natural gas deals with countries like Qatar and the United States.

Public perception and approval

Public approval for the coalition has fluctuated significantly since its inception. Initial ratings were moderate but declined steeply amid the energy crisis and high inflation, with polls by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen and ARD-DeutschlandTrend showing the CDU/CSU overtaking the governing parties in popularity by mid-2022. The AfD saw a rise in support, particularly in eastern states like Thuringia and Saxony. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's personal approval ratings often trailed those of Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder. The government's handling of the 2024 German budget crisis and internal disputes, frequently reported on by media like Der Spiegel and Bild, further eroded public confidence in the coalition's stability.

Timeline and events

Key events began with the cabinet's swearing-in on 8 December 2021 before Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In February 2022, Olaf Scholz suspended the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project following Russia's recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk. The summer of 2022 was marked by the passage of the Easter package of energy laws and a contentious visit by CCP official Wang Yi to Berlin. In 2023, the cabinet faced the farmers' protests against subsidy cuts and the major budgetary upheaval from the Federal Constitutional Court's November ruling. The year 2024 saw the coalition narrowly pass its budget after protracted negotiations and continue its military support for Ukraine, including agreeing to supply Taurus missiles. Category:Cabinets of Germany Category:2021 establishments in Germany Category:Coalition governments of Germany