The members of Germany’s governing coalition are meeting today, in an attempt by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to de-escalate the growing tension between them, and to solve problems that have arisen and are related to the Environment and the Budget. The main goal of the meeting, however, is to convince that after 15 months of government, the coalition has not become useless.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party government consists of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Recent developments show that he is unlikely to be able to implement policies necessary for Germany’s transition to a more environmentally friendly and technologically advanced economy.

One of the main problems is that Scholz spends a lot of time and effort to keep the alliance united in support of Ukraine. The Chancellor is often resented by the delays this alliance brings to decision-making. While at the same time, it is trying to deal with China’s ever-increasing claims, which have disrupted entrepreneurship at the level of the European Union

He states that disagreements between the three parties are to be expected and talks about the task they have undertaken to modernize the country, put an end to many years and decades of stagnation and ensure the promotion of their ambitious goals, while underlining the need to change laws and regulations – on a large scale.

Tensions came to a head on Tuesday when Robert Habeck, the Greens’ Economy Minister, who is also vice chancellor, attacked the FDP in an interview with public broadcaster ARD. “We have a duty to achieve something for the people, for Germany, and at the moment we are not pursuing it sufficiently,” he said, calling on the three parties to avoid obsessing over polls and their media profile. At the same time, he said that Sunday’s meeting should act as a catalyst to speed up a series of planned legislation.

Greens Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also called for an end to infighting. “People expect the government not to fight on a permanent basis, but to solve problems together.”

The budgeting process for next year was among the issues that played a role in the coalition’s dispute. Mainly because there are limited funds available for 2024.

However, it is worth noting that Germany and its coalition are not the exception, but rather the rule in countries that implemented similar governance models.

In Israel, as well as in Bulgaria, five electoral contests have taken place since 2019.

Sweden, which was once the “good student” has become an example to avoid as it has faced three government crises in the last year alone.

In the Netherlands it took 270 days of negotiations to form a government. Although analysts worldwide watched the political developments with bated breath, the Netherlands failed to break the record of 600 days of negotiations which is rightfully held by Belgium.

In Portugal, the Bloc of the Left overthrew the coalition government, leading the country to early elections and yet another cycle of uncertainty and instability.

Europeans have witnessed the problems brought about by government coalitions. With the coalition of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals under Soltz faltering, what is certain is that the collapse is not surprising.