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Friedrich Merz

Germany’s conservative candidate and leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union is the frontrunner to become chancellor. He has pulled conservatives markedly to the right since the reign of his predecessor, Angela Merkel, vowing to crack down on migration and restore business competitiveness. But Merz’s gambit to pass tougher migration measures even with the support of Alternative for Germany has embroiled conservatives in a fierce pre-election debate about the weakening of Germany’s “firewall” around the far right.
Das Kriegsende und Steinmeiers Glaubwürdigkeit

Das Kriegsende und Steinmeiers Glaubwürdigkeit

80 Jahre nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs setzt der Bundestag ein Zeichen – gegen Nationalismus, für historische Verantwortung. Frank-Walter Steinmeier will mit seiner Rede an Richard …

May 8, 2025 6:33 am CET
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Friedrich Merz und der erste Tag als Kanzler

Jetzt beginnt die Arbeit für den neuen Regierungschef, aber auch für die Ministerinnen und Minister und Staatssekretäre. Rasmus Buchsteiner gibt den Überblick, welche Rädchen jetzt ineinander greifen …

May 7, 2025 5:46 am CET

Merz is weakened from Day 1. Europe will pay the price.

The EU’s center looks flaky, with France a mess and Germany’s Friedrich Merz having to battle to be confirmed as chancellor.

May 7, 2025 4:01 am CET

A bruised Merz wants to prove he’s a strong leader in first foreign trip as chancellor

The newly sworn-in German leader heads to Paris and Warsaw in an effort to rejuvenate an alliance and show he’s ready to lead despite political troubles at home.

May 7, 2025 4:01 am CET

France could now prove the weak link in the Franco-German engine

The relationship between the two countries may be more difficult to rebuild than the warm words between Merz and Macron suggest.

May 7, 2025 4:00 am CET

Das Update zum Wahl-Drama um Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz ist Bundeskanzler – aber mit Makel: Im ersten Wahlgang durchgefallen. Das Update analysiert den dramatischen Tag im Bundestag, die fehlenden Stimmen aus den eigenen Reihen …

May 6, 2025 6:57 pm CET

Merz becomes German chancellor in second Bundestag vote

Conservative leader scrapes together just enough votes to claim Germany’s top job — but he’s weakened already.

May 6, 2025 4:18 pm CET

Germany in turmoil as Merz loses vote to be chancellor. What next?

The conservative leader’s wafer-thin majority is exposed after failing to get parliamentary support in a first vote. Another vote is expected Tuesday.

May 6, 2025 11:27 am CET

Humiliated Merz fails to be elected German chancellor on first parliament ballot

This failure is unprecedented in Germany’s postwar history.

May 6, 2025 10:29 am CET

Kanzler Merz und seine fünf wichtigsten Aufgaben

Dieser Tag steht ganz im Zeichen der Kanzlerwahl. Friedrich Merz ist an seinem Ziel, dem wichtigsten Staatsamt, angekommen. Wie er dafür sorgen kann, dass ihm seine Regierung …

May 6, 2025 5:30 am CET
Germany Interpreted

Will Merz spring Germany into action?

Pessimism is the German national sport, but the new chancellor will be determined to prove his compatriots wrong.

May 6, 2025 4:01 am CET

Trump has already screwed over Germany’s new chancellor

Germany’s most important and powerful ally for many decades — the US — has only further weakened conservative leader Friedrich Merz.

May 6, 2025 4:00 am CET

Das Update zum Koalitionsvertrag

Friedrich Merz, Lars Klingbeil, Saskia Esken und Markus Söder unterzeichnen den Koalitionsvertrag – ein Moment zwischen Symbolik, bemerkenswerter Mimik und politischem Neuanfang. Gemeinsam mit Rasmus Buchsteiner analysiert …

May 5, 2025 4:31 pm CET
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Klingbeil, Pistorius, Bas … German Social Democrats reveal ministers for Merz Cabinet

Germany’s junior coalition partner hands key ministries to familiar faces — and springs a few surprises.

May 5, 2025 9:51 am CET

EPP’s war on NGOs is driving a wedge through Europe’s political center

Conservatives face accusations of collaborating with far-right parties in NGO funding probe.

May 5, 2025 4:20 am CET

Trump team clashes with Berlin over AfD designation as right-wing extremist

The heavy criticism from top American officials comes days before a new coalition government is set to take power in Berlin.

May 3, 2025 11:43 am CET

Poland criticizes Germany’s plan for tougher border controls

Just days before his debut visit to Warsaw, Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz already hit a diplomatic snag.

May 2, 2025 5:10 pm CET

Das Kabinetts-Konklave mit Rasmus Buchsteiner

Während der Unions-Teil des Kabinetts unter Friedrich Merz bereits steht, ringt die SPD um die letzten Personalentscheidungen. Wer kommt ins Kabinett? Wer führt die Fraktion? Und was …

May 2, 2025 5:31 am CET

How Trump transformed Europe in just 100 days

After 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s shock and awe, is the EU still stuck in stunned paralysis — or does it finally have a plan?  POLITICO trade …

May 2, 2025 4:00 am CET

The winners and losers from Europe’s largest party’s big bash

With the dust settling on the EPP congress, we take a look at who’s up and who’s down in the EU’s most powerful grouping.

May 1, 2025 3:37 pm CET

German Social Democrats pour cold water on French nuclear deterrent

German lawmaker Nils Schmid argues there is no need to open the subject as the U.S. has not said it would withdraw its nuclear umbrella.

April 30, 2025 2:10 pm CET

Germany’s center-left leader will be finance minister in the Merz government

SPD chief Lars Klingbeil steps into Germany’s most powerful ministry as his party joins a conservative-led coalition.

April 30, 2025 11:24 am CET

Der Mann hinter Merz: Wer ist Wolfram Weimer?

Designierter Kulturstaatsminister: Warum die Kritik an Wolfram Weimers Positionen das eine ist, für Merz aber die Nähe der beiden, lange vor Wahlkampf und Kanzlerkandidatur, aber ein Geschmäckle …

April 30, 2025 5:54 am CET

Wie Markus Söder ein Herz für die SPD entwickelt

– Markus Söders angepasster Ton: Im ausführlichen Gespräch mit Gordon Repinski zeigt der CSU-Chef und bayerische Ministerpräsident, wie groß auch sein Interesse ist, dass es zwischen Union …

April 29, 2025 5:55 am CET

EU backs Olympic bid for 2036, while London wants the Games in 2040

Europe’s sports chief calls for the Olympics to return to the EU — but that aspiration could clash with a bid from London.

April 28, 2025 7:46 pm CET
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