Odin's Beard! Is Germany's New King a Drunken Fool?

A King is Born… Or Stumbles Out of the Mead Hall?

By Odin's raven what a spectacle! Ten weeks of squabbling like shield maidens fighting over a comb and finally Germany has a new leader Friedrich Merz. But his coronation was no glorious saga more like a drunken brawl gone wrong. A first round defeat? Unheard of! It seems even the Germans with their fondness for order can't resist a bit of chaos. As I once told Rollo 'Never trust a man who never has doubts.' And clearly the gods have sown plenty of doubt around this Merz.

The Weakest Start Since I Landed in Northumbria?

Carsten Brzeski calls it 'the weakest possible start.' Ha! Reminds me of when I first landed in Northumbria. King Aelle thought he had me cornered didn't he? But a true Viking always finds a way. Still this Merz needs to prove he's more than just a pretty beard. He's starting bruised they say. Good. A little hardship builds character... or breaks it. We shall see.

Dragons to Slay: Migration Spending and the Stagnant Mire

Like a longship facing a storm Merz faces many challenges. Divisions over migration geopolitical tensions – the usual squabbles. But the real dragon is the economy. It's been stagnating like a forgotten mead barrel. He promised reforms and investments criticizing the old ways. Let's hope he has more than just hot air and empty boasts. As Floki would say 'The gods favor the brave not the boastful.'

Show Me the Gold! (and Infrastructure)

Ah money! The lifeblood of any kingdom. A hefty fiscal package is promised with shiny coins for defense and infrastructure. A 500 billion euro fund they say. Enough to build a fleet of longships to raid Paris again! But some whisper that the gold may not be as secure as it seems. Faster write offs and tax cuts are looking uncertain. Sounds like treachery brewing in the shadows. Merz needs to watch his back and his purse!

Trust: Rarer Than a Sober Viking

Otto Fricke speaks of trust a rare commodity in politics perhaps rarer than a sober Viking at a feast. Without trust the kingdom will crumble like a poorly built hall. Merz needs to unite his coalition but that's like trying to herd cats with a lullaby. If there's no trust the necessary changes will be slow like a longship stuck in the mud. Remember my words 'Power is always dangerous. It attracts the worst and corrupts the best.'

Consensus? Perhaps a Mirage in the Fjords

Palmas points out that Merz vowed stability but this rocky start makes it look like a mirage. Yet de la Rubia claims the clans aren't that far apart. Investment in railways roads – things even the dullest axe wielders can agree on. But don't be fooled! Political battles are like the sea ever changing and dangerous. This first round failure may have been a warning shot. Merz needs to show strength and leadership or he'll be swept away like driftwood. As I always say 'Life is a gift. Don't take it for granted.'