Editing Angela Merkel (section)

===2009–2013: CDU–FDP coalition===
Merkel's CDU was [[2009 German federal election|re-elected in 2009]] with an increased number of seats and could form a governing coalition with the [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]]. After brief negotiations, the [[second Merkel cabinet]] was sworn in on 28 October 2009.<ref name="cabinet2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4836127,00.html |title=Merkel's new cabinet sworn in |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=30 October 2009 |access-date=1 November 2009 |last=Penfold |first=Chuck |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601171452/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0%2C%2C4836127%2C00.html |archive-date=1 June 2010 }}</ref> In early 2011, Merkel's approval ratings plummeted, resulting in heavy losses in state elections for her party.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/21/angela-merkel-crushed-hamburg-polls |title=Angela Merkel's party crushed in Hamburg poll |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=23 August 2011 |location=London |first=Helen |last=Pidd |archive-date=24 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224215222/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/21/angela-merkel-crushed-hamburg-polls |url-status = live}}</ref> An August 2011 poll found her coalition had only 36% support compared to a rival potential coalition's 51%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Chancellor+Angela+Merkel/articles/tvb0mRYv0RF/German+opposition+hits+11+year+high+polls |title=German opposition hits 11-year high in polls |publisher=[[France 24]] |date=5 August 2011 |access-date=23 August 2011 |archive-date=11 October 2011 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011051049/http://www.zimbio.com/Chancellor%2BAngela%2BMerkel/articles/tvb0mRYv0RF/German%2Bopposition%2Bhits%2B11%2Byear%2Bhigh%2Bpolls  }}</ref> Notwithstanding the effects of the [[2008 financial crisis]], unemployment sank below 3 million unemployed people in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 November 2013 |title=Arbeitsmarkt: Arbeitslosigkeit 2011 meist unter drei Millionen |language=de |trans-title=Labour market: Unemployment in 2011 mostly below three million |website=Focus online |agency=dpa |url=https://www.focus.de/finanzen/news/arbeitsmarkt-arbeitslosigkeit-2011-meist-unter-drei-millionen_aid_566257.html |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531112414/https://www.focus.de/finanzen/news/arbeitsmarkt-arbeitslosigkeit-2011-meist-unter-drei-millionen_aid_566257.html |archive-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>

==== Abolition of conscription ====
Following increased debate on the subject in the summer of 2010,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dempsey |first=Judy |date=2 June 2010 |title=Germany Sees No Need for Obligatory Military Conscription |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/world/europe/03iht-germany.html |access-date=29 June 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629123140/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/world/europe/03iht-germany.html |url-status=live}}</ref> the German government announced plans to abolish [[conscription in Germany]], making the {{lang|de|[[Bundeswehr]]}} a [[volunteer military]], in November 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Connolly |first=Kate |date=22 November 2010 |title=Germany to abolish compulsory military service |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/22/germany-abolish-compulsory-military-service |access-date=29 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=17 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917223043/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/22/germany-abolish-compulsory-military-service |url-status=live}}</ref> The decision was finalised in December that year,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conscription to end |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-suspend-compulsory-military-service/a-6315122 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=dw.com |archive-date=31 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731013031/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-suspend-compulsory-military-service/a-6315122 |url-status=live}}</ref> and conscription was suspended on 1 July 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 January 2011 |title=The World from Berlin: 'End of an Era' as Germany Suspends Conscription |language=en |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-end-of-an-era-as-germany-suspends-conscription-a-737668.html |access-date=29 June 2023 |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=10 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110020820/https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-end-of-an-era-as-germany-suspends-conscription-a-737668.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Although somewhat popular at the time, the decision has later come under scrutiny, particularly following to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany debates reintroducing military conscription |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-debates-reintroducing-military-conscription/a-64601831 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=dw.com |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203165249/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-debates-reintroducing-military-conscription/a-64601831 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war raises spectre of conscription in Germany |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220301-ukraine-war-raises-spectre-of-conscription-in-germany |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=France 24 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301135316/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220301-ukraine-war-raises-spectre-of-conscription-in-germany |url-status=live}}</ref> It has also been criticised in conjunction with Germany's financial commitments to [[NATO]].<ref name="The Washington Times">{{Cite web |title=Angela Merkel's anti-NATO legacy |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/12/angela-merkels-anti-nato-legacy/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=The Washington Times |archive-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513042652/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/12/angela-merkels-anti-nato-legacy/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, 61% of Germans said that they were in favour of reestablishing conscription.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Germans want compulsory military service return — poll |url=https://www.dw.com/en/most-germans-want-compulsory-military-service-return-poll/a-64935279 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=dw.com |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309205155/https://www.dw.com/en/most-germans-want-compulsory-military-service-return-poll/a-64935279 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Healthcare reform ====
Responding to a budget deficit of {{Currency|11|EUR|linked=no}} billion in the public healthcare system in 2009, the Merkel government passed widely unpopular healthcare reforms in 2010. The changes reduced healthcare spending in certain areas and increased employer and employee contributions to 15.5% of gross wages.<ref name="Reuters-2010">{{Cite news |date=12 November 2010 |title=Germany passes unpopular healthcare reform |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-healthcare-reform-idUSTRE6AB3TL20101112 |access-date=6 August 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219184258/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-healthcare-reform-idUSTRE6AB3TL20101112 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Healthcare reform |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-passes-controversial-health-care-reform-bill/a-6223367 |access-date=6 August 2023 |website=dw.com |language=en |archive-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607060814/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-passes-controversial-health-care-reform-bill/a-6223367 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2010 |title=Germany passes Merkel's unpopular healthcare reform |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2010/11/12/germany-passes-merkels-unpopular-healthcare-reform.html |access-date=6 August 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806181834/https://www.cnbc.com/2010/11/12/germany-passes-merkels-unpopular-healthcare-reform.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The reforms also established that future contribution increases would only affect the contributions by employers, which was criticised by opposition parties and [[trade union]]s.<ref name="Reuters-2010" />