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Germany news: Merkel urges patience for Merz's coalition

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel says she thinks people need to have patience with the coalition government, amid widespread dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, Germany's men are celebrating Father's Day. DW has the latest. Here are the latest stories that Germany is talking about on Thursday, May 14, 2026:    North Rhine-Westphalia premier Hendrik Wüst has warned against downplaying the risks of a further rise of the Alternative for Germany. He said at the Catholic Congress in Würzburg that suggestions the party should be allowed to govern so it can "discredit itself" are "very dangerous." Wüst pointed to Germany's history, saying similar assumptions had been made about Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. He said it was not the extremists who disappeared, but freedoms such as press liberty and judicial independence within a short time. Speaking at an event hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, both conservative-affiliated political foundations, Wüst also stressed the importance of churches in society. "We need the churches to serve as bridge-builders within society as well," Wüst added. Among many other vital tasks, he said, this includes interreligious dialogue as well as the instilling of values ​​in kindergartens and schools. "Vibrant churches are foundational pillars of a democratic and cohesive society, and it is my hope that this will remain so." Alcohol-related accident risks in Germany spike sharply on Ascension Day, German Father's Day, with experts warning they are around three times higher than on a normal day. The German Road Safety Council said drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in crashes under the influence, citing 284 alcohol-related accidents nationwide on the holiday last year, with dozens seriously injured. The holiday is widely marked by outdoor gatherings and celebrations, where heavy drinking is common, contributing to higher risks on the roads. The council urged people to avoid alcohol entirely when driving or cycling, stressing that even small amounts can impair judgment and reaction times. The ADAC echoed the warning, saying many underestimate how quickly alcohol affects driving ability, with noticeable impairment starting from 0.5 blood alcohol concentration and increased aggression adding to the risk. Police had already reported multiple stops and incidents overnight into Thursday. In the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, a driver crashed into a tree and fled before being detained and found to have a high blood alcohol level. On dealing with US President Donald Trump , the former chancellor advised identifying common ground while otherwise acting "without fear." She said: "Not trying especially hard to please him — at least I never had any illusions about that, even when things were going well — nor trying to be especially provocative: that was how I handled it." Merkel warned against underestimating Trump: "Anyone who has reached positions like these simply has an incredible amount of power. And that is why it must be taken very, very seriously." Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germans to fairly assess the coalition government amid widespread public dissatisfaction with its performance. The government's approval ratings, however, have steadily declined since it took office just over a year ago. In some recent surveys, more than 80% of respondents in some polls expressed dissatisfaction with its work. Merkel, who served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021, did not want to comment in detail on the policies of the Union-SPD coalition. But she stressed: "I wish this government success." "Every citizen should, with moderation and balance — those were always my favorite words — try to appreciate what the government has already achieved," the former CDU chairwoman told the news magazine Focus. "It is not as though nothing at all has happened." Merkel also urged greater tolerance of debates within government. "Today, every debate is immediately described as 'infighting,'" Merkel said in comments to the Focus news magazine. "I believe politicians must make clear that there is no solution-finding process that does not involve some kind of debate."  She also advised current Chancellor Friedrich Merz to show "a generous spirit" toward his conservative bloc's coalition partners, the center-left Social Democrats.  To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Guten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn. You join us on German Father's Day, when men across the nation are expected to celebrate fatherhood by leaving their families behind to go and drink with friends.  Meanwhile, former Chancellor Angela Merkel has been chatting to a popular news magazine about politics and personal life. Stick with us for these and other stories that Germany is talking about.