In Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his coalition government unveiled a long-awaited reform package that Der Spiegel described as a genuine reform roadmap — “finally.” The outlet noted the plan would inevitably provoke protests but argued that the senior coalition partners would need to weather the backlash. The reforms come at a critical time, as Volkswagen reported a mixed first quarter: fewer cars sold overall, yet the automaker reclaimed its position as market leader in China — a result that offered both alarm signals and hints of a turnaround.
Germany’s Coalition Finally Delivers a Reform Plan
