Merz stated that he is not fully satisfied with the current state of affairs, emphasizing that the government is not yet where he envisions it to be. He highlighted positive developments, asserting that the coalition is delivering results and that the economy is beginning to recover after years of stagnation. Despite the rise of the AfD in polls, Merz remains confident about the upcoming state elections in East Germany. His demeanor at the press conference reflected a serious commitment to addressing the pressures faced by his administration.