German Chancellor Friedrich Merz may be in his final weeks in office. According to Bild, the top ranks of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) are intensely discussing scenarios for his replacement - and Merz himself recently hit a personal approval rating of just 16 percent, a record low in Germany's modern history.

The reasons: economic stagnation, coalition splits, and a slower-than-expected rollout of the promised reforms. Merz came to power with pledges to vigorously restore the competitiveness of German industry, ease the bureaucratic burden, and tighten migration policy. One year in - all three fronts are stuck.

"These scenarios are being discussed exclusively in closed groups, in strict secrecy, out of fear the details would leak to the media," Bild wrote. Classic German protocol: in public, everything is fine; in the corridors, dates are being set. A close associate of Merz acknowledged a strong chance the Chancellor will "throw in the towel and step down" - in other words, a voluntary resignation before he is pushed.

What does this mean for the Balkans? Germany is the main political and economic partner of most Balkan states, and every change of government in Berlin directly affects aid packages, diplomatic support for EU accession, and investment decisions. With Germany's economy in recession and the government in crisis, enthusiasm for new Balkan partnerships is minimal. And if Merz falls - his successor's first priority will be at home, not in the south-east.