In Flensburg, Germany, Friedrich Merz, a potential contender for the next chancellor of Germany, faces an uncertain future in terms of forming a coalition government.

At a political rally on Friday in this northern German city, Robert Habeck, the Greens’ candidate for chancellor, expressed skepticism about a potential coalition with Merz’s conservative alliance after the February 23 election.

Habeck stated that collaborating with Merz has become “more challenging” since his conservative party weakened Germany’s defenses against the far right by accepting support from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in parliament to pass anti-immigration laws. He warned that if this trend continues, it would be difficult to find a mutual understanding.

Last week, Merz’s decision to accept support from the far right in parliament caused a political uproar in Berlin. The Greens and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), both center-left parties, expressed strong displeasure. Habeck, who also holds the position of Economy Minister, described Merz’s strategy as a “disqualification” for the chancellorship.

Merz defended his actions, arguing that his party should pass its policies regardless of who supports them.

However, this controversy raises questions about which party Merz’s conservatives will form a coalition with after the election. Merz has ruled out a coalition with the AfD, leaving the SPD and the Greens as his main remaining options.

Nevertheless, the conservatives’ willingness to cooperate with the far right could complicate coalition negotiations. When questioned in Flensburg whether the Greens would reject a government partnership with the conservatives if Merz relied on AfD votes again, Habeck responded affirmatively.

Such a position could create problems for Merz, who may need the Greens in certain post-election situations. Current polls place his center-right alliance at around 30 percent, leading over the SPD, the Greens, and the AfD, but far from a majority.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), have stated they will not form a coalition with the Greens.

This leaves the SPD as an option. However, in a nearly worst-case scenario for Merz, his conservatives could end up in a minority government, relying on fluctuating majorities in parliament to pass legislation – a rare occurrence in German politics.