Failed Democracy: Is Germany Ungovernable?

Friedrich Merz, the cdu’s candidate for chancellor and federal cdu chairman, speaks at the 37th federal cdu party conference on February 3 in Berlin, Germany.
Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images

Failed Democracy: Is Germany Ungovernable?

Germany is facing one of the most seismic moments in its history.

The world remains largely unaware of the gravity of Germany’s ongoing government crisis. In recent weeks, it has become evident that neither left-wing, centrist nor right-wing alliances are capable of effectively governing the nation or addressing even its most basic needs. The chaos has the potential to bring profound transformation that will reverberate far beyond Germany’s borders.

The left-wing coalition between the Social Democrats, Free Democrats and Greens broke over a funding debate that involved increased military spending on Nov. 6, 2024. Party disagreements were so insurmountable that the German chancellor fired his finance minister, breaking the fragile coalition. Yet any hope that the elections scheduled for February 23 will bring stability is delusional. The events of last week showed that far greater chaos could erupt.

Over the course of the past year, German citizens, including little children, have been brutally murdered by criminal migrants who abused Germany’s welcoming culture. After a 2-year-old was fatally stabbed on January 22, the Christian Democratic Union (cdu) wanted to show its willingness to address the crisis head-on. But the following events have proved politicians incapable of agreement.

On January 29, cdu leader and popular chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz proposed a nonbinding motion to the Bundestag to tighten migration and asylum laws. Knowing that the governing parties of the Greens and Social Democrats would object, Merz relied on the votes of the Free Democrats and the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Given that the AfD is seen as a far-right party of Nazi sympathizers, he added a paragraph that condemned extremism and distanced the proposal from any ideology associated with the AfD.

The AfD, claiming to put policy over politics, voted for the anti-migration motion, marking the first time the cdu and AfD have openly worked together. This caused a backlash from opposing parties and even within Merz’s own ranks. The motion has little chance of becoming law as it lacks the necessary support beyond the initial vote.

On January 31, Merz introduced the Influx Limitation Bill, a proposal aimed at restricting the ability of migrants to bring their families to Germany. Though the AfD also backed this legislation, the bill ultimately failed, with parliament rejecting it by a narrow margin of 350 to 338. The backlash from the previous vote and a heated debate had taken their toll, causing some to withdraw their backing at the last moment.

The cdu has been unable to fulfill its promises of reducing migration with other mainstream parties, but new parliamentary majorities and a strengthened far-right party could make the promises reality. Merz, however, continues to rule out a coalition with the AfD; most Germans agree with him on this matter. In fact, thousands protested when his party agreed on a bill with the AfD.

The political stalemate is strengthening the far right, undermining trust in democracy, and increasing the likelihood of agitators taking matters into their own hands. Germany is becoming ungovernable and unruly.

The longer these issues continue, the more frustrated and polarized the German people become. History is our warning.

Rolf Mützenich, a senior member of the Social Democratic Party, accused Merz of opening “the gates of hell.” He noted that Germany’s Weimar Republic of the 1920s, which led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, failed due to “the lack of unity on the part of democrats” and “because authoritarian thinking never completely disappeared.”

Could it happen again?

History has repeatedly proved that humanity is not immune to repeating the atrocities of our forefathers. Instability caused the rise of authoritarian leaders and transformed the German people into vicious, brutal warriors. The Bible warns that current conditions will lead to the rise of another deceitful and destructive leader.

As we explain in Germany and the Holy Roman Empire, Revelation 17 prophesies the rise of seven successive dictators (verse 10). The sixth was Adolf Hitler. The seventh is about to rule over 10 lesser kings just before the return of Jesus Christ (verses 13-14). This chapter reveals that the last ruler will rise in roughly the same manner as the sixth one.

We see this in another end-time prophecy in Daniel 11. “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries” (verse 21). Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in the June 2000 Philadelphia Trumpet:

This vile, despicable and contemptible person will come into power much like Hitler did. Hitler was an army corporal during World War i. He had no royal or dignified background. But he won more and more influence with the people and brutally pushed himself into office.

This vile person “obtain[s] the kingdom by flatteries.” He flatters his way into office when he can. He also takes advantage of the European people as they move to the extreme right, politically.

Just as Hitler did not emerge under normal conditions, neither will this end-time leader. The precarious political crisis in Germany and Europe must be closely watched. To learn more, read Mr. Flurry’s article “After Trump’s Victory, Watch Germany.”