Struggling ahead with tricky government assembly predicted by political party analysts

The political landscape in Germany is currently experiencing a significant shift, with the impending formation of a three-party coalition government. This development, according to political scientist Oskar Niedermayer, could make the government formation process longer and more challenging.

The coalition under consideration primarily involves the Union (CDU/CSU) and the SPD, who have agreed on a coalition contract after about six and a half weeks of negotiations following the federal election. This contract, spanning 146 pages, still requires approval from all three parties (CDU, CSU, and SPD) and a majority for Friedrich Merz to be elected Chancellor.

To form a stable government, compromises in various policy areas including health, care, economy, migration, and integration have been incorporated in the coalition agreement. The aim is to balance the demands and priorities of these parties to ensure majority support in the Bundestag. However, these compromises may make reaching political agreements more challenging, as they will not be pre-prepared within parties but between parties in the new government.

The risk of a government toppling over a crisis is increased, and the government may face lower coalition stability. The political landscape's high degree of fragmentation further complicates matters, as the new government will need to aggregate diverse interests to reach a political compromise and mandate for action.

Moreover, the development could lead to a government that is less effective in reaching political agreements, making it more difficult to reach political compromises. This could, in turn, mean that it will be more difficult to reach consensus on key issues, potentially making the new government less effective in its role.

While a potential three-party coalition in Germany's government formation is expected, it's important to note that many strong parties can be an advantage in representing society. However, it's not just about representing different interests, but especially about aggregating them to reach a political compromise and mandate for action.

In conclusion, the upcoming government faces significant challenges due to the complex three-party constellation and the high degree of political fragmentation. The success of the new government will depend on its ability to navigate these challenges and find common ground to govern effectively.