Germany in March 2026: the most important developments in politics
Germany's politics in March 2026 were dominated by two state elections. On 22 March the CDU won in Rhineland-Palatinate, finishing ahead of the long-governing SPD, whose result was called a "debacle" and brought internal calls for a change of course. The AfD reached a record result in the state, and the CDU invited the SPD to coalition talks. On 8 March the Greens had narrowly won in Baden-Württemberg ahead of the CDU, with the AfD taking nearly 19 percent, its best result in a western state. In Brandenburg the SPD and CDU formed a coalition government.
Foreign policy centred on the Iran war and relations with Washington. Chancellor Friedrich Merz met President Donald Trump at the White House on 3 March; talks covered Iran, tariffs and Ukraine. Spain later criticised Merz for staying silent when Trump made threatening remarks about Spain. On 18 March Merz told the Bundestag that Germany would have advised against the war, while stressing the transatlantic partnership. Germany withdrew embassy staff from Tehran, declined a US-requested mission in the Strait of Hormuz and withdrew its intention to intervene for Israel in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice. On 24 March President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called the war a violation of international law, drawing criticism from Israel and praise from Tehran and the AfD.
The European People's Party and the AfD were the third theme. Chat messages reported on 14 March showed contacts between the EPP group under Manfred Weber and the AfD in the European Parliament. Merz said Weber bore responsibility, and CDU and CSU members called for an investigation. Weber later said he was open to alliances with right-wing parties. Separately, a court paused the classification of the AfD's Lower Saxony branch as a suspected extremist organisation, a lawmaker was expelled over a nepotism scandal, and its top candidate in a state election was removed as parliamentary leader.
In domestic policy the Bundestag passed the Bürgergeld reform and amendments to the hospital reform. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil outlined tax and reform plans on 25 March.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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