According to FOCUS-online chief correspondent Uli Reitz, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) remains under significant pressure in Germany. Unlike previous CDU Chancellors Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, and Angela Merkel, the current leader, Friedrich Merz, requires support from other parties to govern. This marks a historic shift, as past CDU leaders were able to lead without relying on extensive coalition backing. Reitz highlights this dependence as a key difference in the current political landscape of Germany. The need for coalition support indicates a weakened position for the CDU compared to its previous periods of dominance. This situation introduces new challenges for Merz’s chancellorship and the stability of the German government. The reliance on other parties will likely require ongoing negotiation and compromise.