Friedrich Merz

<h2 id="early-life-and-education">Early life and education</h2>

Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz was born on 11 November 1955 to Joachim Merz and Paula Sauvigny in <a href="/facts/Brilon/3tvXE0a2">Brilon</a> in the state of <a href="/facts/North_Rhine-Westphalia/0QmCWxjo">North Rhine-Westphalia</a> in <a href="/facts/West_Germany/oCydk787">West Germany</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a> His father was a judge and a member of the CDU.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a> The Sauvigny family was a locally prominent <a href="/facts/Patrician_(post-Roman_Europe)/9paPP8XW">patrician</a> family in Brilon, of French ancestry. His maternal grandfather was Brilon mayor Josef Paul Sauvigny [de].<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a> Merz is <a href="/facts/Catholic/rJ4F4gqH">Catholic</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a> He was raised in his mother's family home Sauvigny House [de] in Brilon. The house was announced for sale for €2 million in 2021.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a> Two of his three siblings died relatively early; his younger sister died in the age of 21 in a <a href="/facts/Traffic_accident/hW5yXKq3">traffic accident</a> and his brother died of <a href="/facts/Multiple_sclerosis/vghXl0IQ">multiple sclerosis</a> before the age of 50.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a>
From 1966 to 1971, Merz studied at the Gymnasium Petrinum Brilon, which he left for disciplinary reasons,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a> moving to the Friedrich-Spee Gymnasium in <a href="/facts/R%25C3%25BCthen/ms4zPcN8">Rüthen</a> where he finished his <a href="/facts/Abitur/bJbcc5ts">Abitur</a> in 1975.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a> From July 1975 to September 1976 Merz served his <a href="/facts/Military_service/pPQqAhDk">military service</a> as a <a href="/facts/Soldier/f3tcRU9C">soldier</a> with a <a href="/facts/Self-propelled_artillery/hohbl8cF">self-propelled artillery</a> unit of the <a href="/facts/German_Army/yPG8nt0E">German Army</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33">33</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34">34</a> From 1976 he studied <a href="/facts/Law/luzxWkg0">law</a> with a scholarship from the <a href="/facts/Konrad_Adenauer_Foundation/m8GU8hpq">Konrad Adenauer Foundation</a>, first at the <a href="/facts/University_of_Bonn/PpaE8Xvf">University of Bonn</a>, later at the <a href="/facts/University_of_Marburg/L2BXUghC">University of Marburg</a>. At Bonn he was a member of KDStV Bavaria Bonn [de], a Catholic student fraternity founded in 1844 that is part of the <a href="/facts/Cartellverband/u61pJ4qD">Cartellverband</a>. After finishing law school in 1985, he became a <a href="/facts/Judge/2MgrCxc1">judge</a> in <a href="/facts/Saarbr%25C3%25BCcken/0PnbwXz9">Saarbrücken</a>. In 1986, he left his position as a judge in order to work as an in-house <a href="/facts/Lawyer/SETgVQHu">attorney-at-law</a> at the German Chemical Industry Association in <a href="/facts/Bonn/eCSu8vB1">Bonn</a> and <a href="/facts/Frankfurt/Pw4Xj9A4">Frankfurt</a> from 1986 to 1989.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35">35</a>

<h2 id="early-political-career">Early political career</h2>

In 1972, at the age of seventeen, he became a member of the CDU's youth wing, the <a href="/facts/Young_Union/ayyVWQEB">Young Union</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36">36</a> He became President of the Brilon branch of the Young Union in 1980.

<h3>Member of the European Parliament (1989–1994)</h3>
Merz successfully ran as a candidate in the <a href="/facts/1989_European_Parliament_election/394MJ1Y2">1989 European Parliament election</a> and served one term as a <a href="/facts/Member_of_the_European_Parliament/rvxcGboD">Member of the European Parliament</a> until 1994. He was a member of the <a href="/facts/Committee_on_Economic_and_Monetary_Affairs/vkEUULxe">Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs</a> and of the parliament's delegation for relations with <a href="/facts/Malta/FsqM3M37">Malta</a>.

<h3>Member of the Bundestag (1994–2009)</h3>
From the <a href="/facts/1994_German_federal_election/mDSGg0WP">1994 German elections</a>, he served as member of the <a href="/facts/Bundestag/RN6CPKa2">Bundestag</a> for his constituency, the <a href="/facts/Hochsauerlandkreis_(electoral_district)/XUmsWfcD">Hochsauerland</a>. In his first term, he was a member of the Finance Committee.
In October 1998 Merz became vice-chairman and in February 2000 Chairman of the CDU/<a href="/facts/Christian_Social_Union_of_Bavaria/h7KTTmK4">CSU</a> parliamentary group (alongside <a href="/facts/Michael_Glos/ddeAHBnG">Michael Glos</a>), succeeding <a href="/facts/Wolfgang_Sch%25C3%25A4uble/hGnCYK57">Wolfgang Schäuble</a>. In this capacity, he was the opposition leader in the Bundestag during <a href="/facts/Chancellor_of_Germany/NHWTh4Tt">Chancellor</a> <a href="/facts/Gerhard_Schr%25C3%25B6der/QqL5e4c6">Gerhard Schröder</a>'s first term.
Ahead of the <a href="/facts/2002_German_federal_election/rgNfcwDz">2002 elections</a>, <a href="/facts/Edmund_Stoiber/JTIH7W1t">Edmund Stoiber</a> included Merz in his <a href="/facts/Shadow_cabinet/NGqz43jj">shadow cabinet</a> for the Christian Democrats' campaign to unseat incumbent Schröder as chancellor. During the campaign, Merz served as Stoiber's expert for financial markets and the national budget.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37">37</a> After Stoiber's electoral defeat, <a href="/facts/Angela_Merkel/n7jjpybM">Angela Merkel</a> assumed the leadership of the parliamentary group; Merz again served as vice-chairman until 2004. From 2002 to 2004, he was also a member of the executive board of the CDU, again under the leadership of Merkel.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38">38</a>
In 2004, Merz gave a speech to local constituents criticising the "red" (<a href="/facts/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Germany/GyXlKgqJ">Social Democratic</a>) mayor of his hometown, <a href="/facts/Brilon/3tvXE0a2">Brilon</a>, and called for the "red town hall" to be stormed. He noted that his grandfather, Josef Paul Sauvigny [de], had been mayor of Brilion. This statement drew criticism due to Sauvigny's role as a mayor under <a href="/facts/Nazi_Germany/8kRbqRpo">Nazi rule</a>. While it is not known whether he was a formal member of the <a href="/facts/Nazi_Party/qQCramHd">Nazi Party</a> at the time (though he joined later), Sauvigny remained mayor after the <a href="/facts/Nazi_seizure_of_power/RfSN8I82">Nazis seized power</a> and repressed their political opponents. During his tenure, he praised the Nazi "national revolution" and renamed streets in his town after <a href="/facts/Adolf_Hitler/3zyXG1L8">Adolf Hitler</a> and <a href="/facts/Hermann_G%25C3%25B6ring/IvYCDBuy">Hermann Göring</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39">39</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40">40</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41">41</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42">42</a>
In 2005 he has been described by German media as a new member of the Andean Pact [de],<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43">43</a> a originally secret network of influential CDU men formed in 1979 by then members of Young Union during a trip to the South American <a href="/facts/Andes/a4wlgG3e">Andes</a> region. The Andean pact stood in opposition to Merkel, especially in the five years before she became chancellor in 2005, after she had become chairperson of the CDU. Years before his admission, Merz had already a "fundamental loyalty" to his peers in the Andean Pact.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:44" href="#fn:44">44</a> Between <a href="/facts/2005_German_federal_election/4jaFVmHX">2005</a> and 2009, Merz was a member of the Committee on Legal Affairs. In 2006, he was one of nine parliamentarians who filed a complaint at the <a href="/facts/Federal_Constitutional_Court/fdDeByo9">Federal Constitutional Court</a> against the disclosure of additional sources of income; the complaint was ultimately unsuccessful.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:45" href="#fn:45">45</a> By 2007, he announced he would not be running for political office in the <a href="/facts/2009_German_federal_election/lSYB8ME0">2009 elections</a>.

<h2 id="private-sector-career-20092018">Private sector career (2009–2018)</h2>
Upon leaving politics, Merz worked as a corporate lawyer. Since 2004 he has been a <a href="/facts/Senior_Counsel/lMABPY3d">Senior Counsel</a> at <a href="/facts/Mayer_Brown/l8THzkSE">Mayer Brown</a>'s <a href="/facts/D%25C3%25BCsseldorf/twteRHCh">Düsseldorf</a> office,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:46" href="#fn:46">46</a> where he works on the <a href="/facts/Corporate_finance/ugQCsFBQ">corporate finance</a> team; before 2004 he was a senior counsel with Cornelius Bartenbach Haesemann.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:47" href="#fn:47">47</a> His work as a lawyer and board member has made him a multimillionaire.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:48" href="#fn:48">48</a> He has also taken on numerous positions on corporate boards, including the following:

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Robert_Bosch_GmbH/wPuk1Udv">Robert Bosch GmbH</a>, member of International Advisory Committee (since 2011)</li>
<li>WEPA Hygieneprodukte GmbH, chairman of the supervisory board (since 2009)</li>
<li>Deutsche Rockwool, member of the Supervisory Board</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Ernst_%2526_Young/XQeK1o1z">Ernst & Young Germany</a>, member of the Advisory Board</li>
<li>Odewald & Compagnie, member of the Advisory Board</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Winterthur_Group/Bl7DXjAk">DBV-Winterthur Holding</a>, member of the Supervisory Board</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Cologne_Bonn_Airport/13YQvUS3">Cologne Bonn Airport</a>, chairman of the supervisory board (2017–2020)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:49" href="#fn:49">49</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:50" href="#fn:50">50</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/BlackRock/bQWj1qcj">BlackRock Germany</a>, chairman of the supervisory board (2016–2020)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:51" href="#fn:51">51</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:52" href="#fn:52">52</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Stadler_Rail/ehNRnvAH">Stadler Rail</a>, member of the Board of Directors (2006–2020)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:53" href="#fn:53">53</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:54" href="#fn:54">54</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:55" href="#fn:55">55</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/HSBC_Trinkaus/d8BD88PX">HSBC Trinkaus</a>, chairman of the advisory board (2010–2019)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:56" href="#fn:56">56</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Borussia_Dortmund/kVGq7nE3">Borussia Dortmund</a>, member of the supervisory board (2010–2014)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Axa/0fj0s56m">Axa Konzern AG</a>, member of the supervisory board (2007–2014)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:57" href="#fn:57">57</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/IVG_Immobilien/WpKo9HTl">IVG Immobilien</a>, member of the supervisory board (2006–2010)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Deutsche_B%25C3%25B6rse/D2ThIXCv">Deutsche Börse</a>, member of the supervisory board (2005–2015)</li>
<li>Interseroh, member of the supervisory board (2005–2009)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:58" href="#fn:58">58</a></li></ul>

Between 2010 and 2011, Merz represented the shareholders of <a href="/facts/WestLB/M0muqo6r">WestLB</a>, a publicly owned institution that had previously been Germany's third-largest lender, in talks with bidders.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:59" href="#fn:59">59</a> In 2012, he joined <a href="/facts/Norbert_R%25C3%25B6ttgen/VIcHSUCC">Norbert Röttgen</a>'s campaign team for the <a href="/facts/2012_North_Rhine-Westphalia_state_election/cjr8z2D8">North Rhine-Westphalia state election</a> as advisor on economic policy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:60" href="#fn:60">60</a> He served as a CDU delegate to the <a href="/facts/Federal_Convention_(Germany)/CVzSM0w0">Federal Convention</a> for the purpose of electing the <a href="/facts/President_of_Germany/alla2gvH">President of Germany</a> in <a href="/facts/2012_German_presidential_election/QUEFF7YL">2012</a> and in <a href="/facts/2017_German_presidential_election/IPt96jKv">2017</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:61" href="#fn:61">61</a>
In November 2017, Merz was appointed by <a href="/facts/List_of_Ministers-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia/xQKuMCAV">Minister-President</a> <a href="/facts/Armin_Laschet/T0gJaVnH">Armin Laschet</a> of <a href="/facts/North_Rhine-Westphalia/0QmCWxjo">North Rhine-Westphalia</a> as his Commissioner for <a href="/facts/Brexit/M80B3fIg">Brexit</a> and <a href="/facts/Transatlantic_relations/gKHDLxpa">Transatlantic Relations</a>, an unpaid advisory position.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:62" href="#fn:62">62</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:63" href="#fn:63">63</a>

<h2 id="return-to-politics">Return to politics</h2>
After <a href="/facts/Angela_Merkel/n7jjpybM">Angela Merkel</a> announced her intention to step down as <a href="/facts/Leader_of_the_Christian_Democratic_Union/5x8h4qv2">leader of the CDU party</a>, Merz announced he would run in the subsequent <a href="/facts/2018_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election/999DnCMg">2018 party leadership election</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:64" href="#fn:64">64</a> His candidacy was promoted by the former CDU chairman and "crown prince" of the Kohl era, <a href="/facts/Wolfgang_Sch%25C3%25A4uble/hGnCYK57">Wolfgang Schäuble</a> (former President of the Bundestag, ranked second in federal precedence).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:65" href="#fn:65">65</a> On 7 December 2018, in the second round of the leadership election, Merz was defeated by <a href="/facts/Annegret_Kramp-Karrenbauer/826wEcB9">Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:66" href="#fn:66">66</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:67" href="#fn:67">67</a>
On 25 February 2020, he announced his candidacy in the <a href="/facts/January_2021_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election/2vBz2c2d">first 2021 CDU leadership election</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:68" href="#fn:68">68</a> His closest competitors were <a href="/facts/Armin_Laschet/T0gJaVnH">Armin Laschet</a> and <a href="/facts/Norbert_R%25C3%25B6ttgen/VIcHSUCC">Norbert Röttgen</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:69" href="#fn:69">69</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:70" href="#fn:70">70</a> After several postponements, the election of the new CDU party president took place at the party congress on 15–16 January 2021, which was the first time in the party's history that it was held fully online. In the first round, Merz received 385 votes, 5 more than Laschet. In the second round, Merz failed to win the party president's post for the second time, receiving 466 votes out of 1001 delegates, while Laschet received 521 votes.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:71" href="#fn:71">71</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:72" href="#fn:72">72</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:73" href="#fn:73">73</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:74" href="#fn:74">74</a>
The same day, after losing the leadership election, Merz proposed to "join the current government and take over the <a href="/facts/Federal_Ministry_for_Economic_Affairs_and_Energy/UJV9Qp5P">Ministry for Economy</a>". The ministry was already headed by his party colleague <a href="/facts/Peter_Altmaier/vM1XEmBb">Peter Altmaier</a> at the time and the proposal was rebuffed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:75" href="#fn:75">75</a> Laschet was quick to placate Merz by recruiting him to his campaign team. Laschet justified this by saying that Merz was "without doubt a team player" and that his economic and financial expertise could provide crucial help in overcoming the huge challenge of the pandemic in a sustainable way.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:76" href="#fn:76">76</a>
Ahead of the <a href="/facts/2021_German_federal_election/Qpx9XSyT">2021 German federal election</a>, <a href="/facts/Patrick_Sensburg/uaAbRvok">Patrick Sensburg</a>, Merz's successor in his seat in the Bundestag, failed to secure his party's support for a new candidacy. Merz instead replaced him, returning to the Bundestag after a 12-year absence.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:77" href="#fn:77">77</a>

<h3>Chairman of the CDU (2022–present)</h3>
On 15 November 2021, Merz announced his candidacy in the <a href="/facts/December_2021_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election/UtrFK8Ae">second 2021 CDU leadership election</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:78" href="#fn:78">78</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:79" href="#fn:79">79</a> His opponents were <a href="/facts/Norbert_R%25C3%25B6ttgen/VIcHSUCC">Norbert Röttgen</a> and <a href="/facts/Helge_Braun/lKv1V3T3">Helge Braun</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:80" href="#fn:80">80</a>
During their short campaign, Merz's rivals positioned themselves as <a href="/facts/Angela_Merkel/n7jjpybM">Merkel's</a> heirs. Against them, Merz promised a decisive break with the centrist line Merkel had followed for 16 years.
In total, some 400,000 CDU members were able to vote online or by letter. By 17 December 2021, Merz had already won an absolute majority of 62.1 per cent of the membership in the first round of voting, so a second round of voting was not necessary. This meant that at his third attempt, he managed to win the party presidency. Asked for his reaction to the results of the vote, Merz said: "Quietly I just said to myself, 'WOW'; but only quietly, the winning marching songs are far from me".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:81" href="#fn:81">81</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:82" href="#fn:82">82</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:83" href="#fn:83">83</a>
Merz was formally elected Chairman of the CDU by its 1001 congress delegates at the virtual federal party congress on 22 January 2022. In the end, 915 out of 983 delegates voted for him, winning 94.6% of the valid votes to become the leader of the largest opposition party in the <a href="/facts/Bundestag/RN6CPKa2">Bundestag</a>. The vote was formally a so-called "digital pre-vote", the result of which has been confirmed in writing by the delegates.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:84" href="#fn:84">84</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:85" href="#fn:85">85</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:86" href="#fn:86">86</a>
After <a href="/facts/Annegret_Kramp-Karrenbauer/826wEcB9">Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer</a> and <a href="/facts/Armin_Laschet/T0gJaVnH">Armin Laschet</a>, Merz became the third leader of the <a href="/facts/Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany/xJxhhtUr">Christian Democratic Union</a> within three years.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:87" href="#fn:87">87</a> He officially took office as party leader on 31 January 2022.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:88" href="#fn:88">88</a>

<h4>CDU chancellor candidate (2025)</h4>
Main article: <a href="/facts/2025_German_federal_election/vjlpEcEN">2025 German federal election</a>
In September 2024, Merz became the <a href="/facts/CDU%2fCSU/e75o7Dyj">Union's</a> designated candidate for Chancellor of Germany in the <a href="/facts/2025_German_federal_election/vjlpEcEN">2025 federal election</a>, after <a href="/facts/Hendrik_W%25C3%25BCst/Fr9EQwUk">Hendrik Wüst</a> (CDU) and <a href="/facts/Markus_S%25C3%25B6der/r1Eczkue">Markus Söder</a> (<a href="/facts/Christian_Social_Union_in_Bavaria/h7KTTmK4">CSU</a>) decided not to run and after both declared their support for Merz.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:89" href="#fn:89">89</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:90" href="#fn:90">90</a> Due to <a href="/facts/2024_German_government_crisis/SDRYvpqn">the collapse</a> of the <a href="/facts/Scholz_cabinet/vCUKAtCx">incumbent governing coalition</a> in November 2024, the election took place seven months ahead of schedule.
Exit polls released following the <a href="/facts/2025_German_federal_election/vjlpEcEN">2025 federal election</a> showed CDU would win the most seats in the German parliament, albeit with its second worst result ever, thus ensuring Merz the role of <a href="/facts/Chancellor_of_Germany/NHWTh4Tt">Chancellor of Germany</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:91" href="#fn:91">91</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:92" href="#fn:92">92</a>
In the aftermath of the election, the <a href="/facts/Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany/xJxhhtUr">Christian Democratic Union</a> (CDU) and the <a href="/facts/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Germany/GyXlKgqJ">Social Democratic Party</a> (SPD) initiated coalition talks to form the next government. In the federal election the CDU, led by Merz, emerged as the strongest party but fell short of an absolute majority, necessitating <a href="/facts/Coalition_government/AvBSARsj">coalition</a> negotiations. The SPD, under the leadership of <a href="/facts/Lars_Klingbeil/plqAoj9e">Lars Klingbeil</a>, entered discussions to explore potential collaboration.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:93" href="#fn:93">93</a> The expected CDU/CSU–SPD coalition would form what is historically referred to in German politics as a Große Koalition (<a href="/facts/Grand_coalition_(Germany)/AVVy0avh">Grand Coalition</a>, although that term describes the coalition of the two biggest parties, which the SPD is not since the 2025 election).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:94" href="#fn:94">94</a>

 
On 5 March 2025, Merz proposed a significant <a href="/facts/2020s_European_re-armament/SBYCQPR2">increase in defence spending</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:95" href="#fn:95">95</a> He stated at the press conference: "Germany and Europe must quickly strengthen their defence capabilities. The CDU, CSU and SPD will table a motion to amend the <a href="/facts/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany/wyl4L4Jt">Basic Law</a> so that <a href="/facts/Bundeswehr/J0yobW5P">defence spending</a> above 1% of GDP is exempt from the <a href="/facts/Budget_of_Germany/wuMMjUbE">debt brake</a>".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:96" href="#fn:96">96</a> This would allow Germany to increase its debt without limits in order to finance its military and provide military assistance to Ukraine.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:97" href="#fn:97">97</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:98" href="#fn:98">98</a> Economists have warned that Merz's plan could trigger <a href="/facts/Inflation/YvKtKrVI">inflation</a> and increase Germany's <a href="/facts/Government_debt/DerGEK3v">government debt</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:99" href="#fn:99">99</a> Germany would pay approximately €71 billion in interest annually from 2035.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:100" href="#fn:100">100</a> During negotiations for the next German cabinet, Merz and outgoing Chancellor <a href="/facts/Olaf_Scholz/m6WEvQjG">Olaf Scholz</a> reached an agreement to reform the <a href="/facts/Balanced_budget_amendment/Hv3G91R9">debt brake</a> by amending Paragraphs 109, 115 and 143h of the Basic Law to exempt defence spending exceeding 1% of GDP.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:101" href="#fn:101">101</a> Next to the defence spending Merz agreed to create a special fund of €500 billion for "investments in infrastructure and for additional investments to achieve <a href="/facts/Climate_neutrality/llsAknfI">climate neutrality</a> by 2045".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:102" href="#fn:102">102</a> On 18 March 2025, German lawmakers approved the <a href="/facts/German_balanced_budget_amendment/xwLD49SS">amendment to the Basic Law</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:103" href="#fn:103">103</a> The change will allow the Merz government to spend €500 billion on infrastructure and green energy within 10 years<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:104" href="#fn:104">104</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:105" href="#fn:105">105</a> and to have defence spending above 1% of GDP to be exempted from the debt brake; this allows an unlimited debt-based financing of defence spending.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:106" href="#fn:106">106</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:107" href="#fn:107">107</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:108" href="#fn:108">108</a> Merz, who had promised to not touch the debt brake rule prior to the German federal election,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:109" href="#fn:109">109</a> justified the increase in defence spending by the threat from <a href="/facts/Russia/jfkCwyxn">Russia</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:110" href="#fn:110">110</a> citing Putin's "war of aggression against Europe".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:111" href="#fn:111">111</a> He called the decision "the first major step towards a <a href="/facts/Common_Security_and_Defence_Policy/rDpJzIrn">new European defence community</a>."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:112" href="#fn:112">112</a> He also planned to increase military aid to Ukraine.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:113" href="#fn:113">113</a> The trillion-euro spending package was approved before the <a href="/facts/21st_Bundestag/62wm5PkH">21st Bundestag</a> was constituted on 25 March 2025, where <a href="/facts/The_Left_(Germany)/BBy8BqX8">The Left</a> and <a href="/facts/Alternative_for_Germany/kTCco2TS">AfD</a> would have the ability to block it.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:114" href="#fn:114">114</a> A two-thirds majority was needed to <a href="/facts/Constitutional_amendment/VaS0dyDU">change the constitution</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:115" href="#fn:115">115</a> The plan was supported by the CDU, CSU, SPD, and the <a href="/facts/Alliance_90%2fThe_Greens/HJ8MNBnc">Greens</a>. Merz's fiscal package was welcomed by French President <a href="/facts/Emmanuel_Macron/baeIYHUo">Emmanuel Macron</a>, NATO Secretary General <a href="/facts/Mark_Rutte/t8HUcp6n">Mark Rutte</a>, and European Commission President <a href="/facts/Ursula_von_der_Leyen/h0Q8RqDF">Ursula von der Leyen</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:116" href="#fn:116">116</a>

See also: <a href="/facts/2025_German_federal_election/vjlpEcEN">2025 German federal election § Debt brake agreement</a>
On 9 April 2025, Merz, together with the CSU party leader <a href="/facts/Markus_S%25C3%25B6der/r1Eczkue">Markus Söder</a> and the SPD co-leaders <a href="/facts/Lars_Klingbeil/plqAoj9e">Lars Klingbeil</a> and <a href="/facts/Saskia_Esken/JNXtzdxW">Saskia Esken</a>, presented the coalition agreement for the planned <a href="/facts/Grand_coalition_(Germany)/AVVy0avh">black-red coalition</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:117" href="#fn:117">117</a> This agreement was signed on 5 May 2025,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:118" href="#fn:118">118</a> after internal party votes on a government coalition were approved in the three parties in the weeks before.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:119" href="#fn:119">119</a>

<h2 id="chancellor-2025present">Chancellor (2025–present)</h2>
On 6 May, when the first round of voting took place, Merz was not confirmed as the next chancellor when he unexpectedly failed to achieve an <a href="/facts/Absolute_majority/UrN29DaU">absolute majority</a> in parliament with only 310 votes in favour of his leadership out of a required 316 out of 630 votes. It was the first time in German history a chancellor candidate did not receive the necessary votes in the first attempt.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:120" href="#fn:120">120</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:121" href="#fn:121">121</a> A second round of voting took place on the same day,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:122" href="#fn:122">122</a> resulting in him being elected as chancellor with 325 votes.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:123" href="#fn:123">123</a> Merz and <a href="/facts/Merz_cabinet/8dKjKpAn">his cabinet</a> were sworn in on the same day of the voting.

One of his first official acts was the restructuring of the ministries and the creation of a <a href="/facts/Federal_Ministry_for_Digital_and_State_Modernisation/N43s9uxy">Ministry for Digital and State Modernization</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:124" href="#fn:124">124</a> On 7 May, he made his first foreign visit as Chancellor, meeting in France with President <a href="/facts/Emmanuel_Macron/baeIYHUo">Emmanuel Macron</a> and jointly announcing the creation of a Franco-German Defence and Security Council<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:125" href="#fn:125">125</a> and afterwards meeting with Prime Minister of Poland, <a href="/facts/Donald_Tusk/eNyMC4vy">Donald Tusk</a>, in <a href="/facts/Warsaw/0cRqN3pw">Warsaw</a>, emphasizing relations within the <a href="/facts/Weimar_Triangle/aS4hkeaK">Weimar Triangle</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:126" href="#fn:126">126</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:127" href="#fn:127">127</a>

<h3>Foreign policy</h3>
<h4>Palestine–Israel conflict</h4>
On 24 February 2025, the day after the election, Merz suggested he would ask Israeli prime minister <a href="/facts/Benjamin_Netanyahu/581DW7MB">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> – for whom the <a href="/facts/International_Criminal_Court/z0VwbKkz">International Criminal Court</a> issued an <a href="/facts/International_Criminal_Court_arrest_warrants_for_Israeli_leaders/gVnn00uY">arrest warrant</a> in 2023 – to visit Germany.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:128" href="#fn:128">128</a>

<h2 id="list-of-international-trips">List of international trips</h2>
<h3>2025</h3>
<table><tbody><tr><th>Country</th><th>Area(s) visited</th><th>Dates</th><th>Description</th></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/France/CxIeIKM3">France</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Paris/DrNHpwnA">Paris</a></td><td>7 May</td><td>Met with President <a href="/facts/Emmanuel_Macron/baeIYHUo">Emmanuel Macron</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/Poland/eXJ7fd0D">Poland</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Warsaw/0cRqN3pw">Warsaw</a></td><td>7 May</td><td>Met with Prime minister <a href="/facts/Donald_Tusk/eNyMC4vy">Donald Tusk</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/Belgium/YKuMXP5j">Belgium</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Brussels/tNzHrQYP">Brussels</a></td><td>9 May</td><td>Met with President of the European Commission <a href="/facts/Ursula_von_der_Leyen/h0Q8RqDF">Ursula von der Leyen</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/Ukraine/Qof0uqAj">Ukraine</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Kyiv/uVAMxK8R">Kyiv</a></td><td>10 May</td><td>Merz travelled to Kyiv with French President <a href="/facts/Emmanuel_Macron/baeIYHUo">Emmanuel Macron</a>, British Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Keir_Starmer/rzH0yIHu">Keir Starmer</a>, and Polish Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Donald_Tusk/eNyMC4vy">Donald Tusk</a> to meet <a href="/facts/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy/XaAUoF3n">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a> and display European unity in support of Ukraine.</td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/Albania/8GP40BUD">Albania</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a></td><td>16 May</td><td>Merz attended the <a href="/facts/6th_European_Political_Community_Summit/UdqLul50">6th European Political Community Summit</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/Italy/tUf0PDYF">Italy</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Rome/bh1Ttx3T">Rome</a></td><td>17 May</td><td>Merz met with Prime minister <a href="/facts/Giorgia_Meloni/8g5Fw1vF">Giorgia Meloni</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/Vatican_City/JTKnEt6J">Vatican City</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Vatican_City/JTKnEt6J">Vatican City</a></td><td>18 May</td><td>Merz attended inauguration mass and met with <a href="/facts/Pope_Leo_XIV/ypRsaIJk">Pope Leo XIV</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Washington_DC/enXPK156">Washington DC</a></td><td>5 June</td><td>Merz met with President <a href="/facts/Donald_Trump/pqqKY21P">Donald Trump</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="/facts/Canada/D5P9yqs6">Canada</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Kananaskis_Improvement_District/lkR5Ka3h">Kananaskis</a></td><td>15–17 June</td><td>Merz attended the <a href="/facts/51st_G7_summit/55V8J2Qm">51st G7 summit</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="political-positions">Political positions</h2>
Merz has focused on economic, foreign, security, and family policies. He is seen as a representative of the pro-business wings of the CDU.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:129" href="#fn:129">129</a> He is viewed as an <a href="/facts/Economic_liberalism/FVN7C4Le">economic liberal</a> who makes some concessions to <a href="/facts/Conservatism_in_Germany/lFMG4yVf">conservative</a> party members who stress the need for social engagement. Merz embraces some conservative <a href="/facts/Social_policy/XnjxCY69">social policies</a> regarding families, although the <a href="/facts/Berliner_Morgenpost/wLIKwUev">Berliner Morgenpost</a> says he is not as "dogmatic" as in his early political career.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:130" href="#fn:130">130</a> He is associated with <a href="/facts/Neoliberalism/UfqKadhe">neoliberalism</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:131" href="#fn:131">131</a>
As a young politician in the 1970s and 1980s, he was a staunch supporter of <a href="/facts/Anti-communism/bJuolzxo">anti-communism</a>, the dominant state <a href="/facts/Doctrine/MtDwPUVg">doctrine</a> of <a href="/facts/West_Germany/oCydk787">West Germany</a> and a core tenet of the CDU. His book Mehr Kapitalismus wagen (<a href="/facts/Translation/2foI82so">transl</a>: Venturing More Capitalism) advocates economic liberalism.

<h3>Asylum, migration and integration</h3>
Merz says he sees limiting <a href="/facts/Irregular_migration/bSFppH6r">irregular migration</a> as the most important task after the <a href="/facts/2025_German_federal_election/vjlpEcEN">2025 German federal election</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:132" href="#fn:132">132</a> Merz criticized <a href="/facts/Angela_Merkel/n7jjpybM">Angela Merkel</a>'s policy of <a href="/facts/Open_border/fenansIs">open borders</a> during the <a href="/facts/2015_European_migrant_crisis/Mp06vFWh">2015 European migrant crisis</a>. In 2024, Merz called for asylum seekers to be comprehensively rejected directly at the border.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:133" href="#fn:133">133</a> He believes this would send a signal that would lead to less irregular migration.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:134" href="#fn:134">134</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:135" href="#fn:135">135</a> In a 2024 debate about the capacity to accept refugees into Germany, Merz referred to the statement by <a href="/facts/Saxony/PrKscwCP">Saxony</a>'s Minister-President <a href="/facts/Michael_Kretschmer/E5Da3dnE">Michael Kretschmer</a>, who had spoken out in favour of accepting a maximum of 60,000–100,000 refugees per year. Merz explained that Kretschmer's statement roughly describes "what we can still achieve today with our integration power".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:136" href="#fn:136">136</a>
Merz's CDU seeks to speed up visa processing for <a href="/facts/Immigration_to_Germany/Dm2Dg1TN">foreign skilled workers</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:137" href="#fn:137">137</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:138" href="#fn:138">138</a>
In October 2023, following the <a href="/facts/October_7_Hamas-led_attack_on_Israel/vRHlfVYB">October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel</a>, Merz said Germany could not accept <a href="/facts/Palestinian_refugees/Qb8fAsRg">Palestinian refugees</a> from <a href="/facts/Gaza_Strip/GodcCxlV">Gaza</a>, stating, "We have enough <a href="/facts/Antisemitic/kUpfFkqx">antisemitic</a> young men in the country".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:139" href="#fn:139">139</a> In December 2024, Merz called for deportations of illegal <a href="/facts/Syrians_in_Germany/PaFWYGez">Syrian immigrants</a> to <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a> and a freeze on new admissions of refugees. As chancellor, he aims to "regularly deport" people to <a href="/facts/Afghanistan/v63Auu1C">Afghanistan</a> and Syria.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:140" href="#fn:140">140</a>
Referring to the fact that around 80 percent of the 200,000 applicants for <a href="/facts/Naturalization/xfrTf3WE">naturalization</a> in 2024 wanted to keep their first citizenship, Merz intends to abolish the fast naturalization (which made it possible for applicants to obtain <a href="/facts/German_citizenship/twPENI3o">German citizenship</a> after living in Germany for three to five years)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:141" href="#fn:141">141</a> that the <a href="/facts/Traffic_light_coalition/aH98rFQV">traffic light coalition</a> implemented in 2024. Weeks before the 2025 election, he also advocated for a <a href="/facts/Denaturalization/FBy7CBQ9">denaturalization</a> (which would require an amendment to the <a href="/facts/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany/wyl4L4Jt">basic law</a>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:142" href="#fn:142">142</a> in cases in which those with <a href="/facts/Multiple_citizenship/kjN33Plr">multiple citizenship</a> commit crimes after obtaining German citizenship.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:143" href="#fn:143">143</a>
After the January <a href="/facts/2025_Aschaffenburg_stabbing_attack/RlabXnhy">2025 Aschaffenburg stabbing attack</a>, perpetrated by an <a href="/facts/Afghans/cNRx8NEQ">Afghan</a> migrant who had no <a href="/facts/Residence_permit/9nEGUlrJ">residence permits</a> in Germany (and after a series of similar attacks within a few years), [de
] Merz called the EU asylum rules – the <a href="/facts/Dublin_Regulation/CzmlT2d5">Dublin</a>, <a href="/facts/Schengen_Agreement/ghYHPqx0">Schengen</a>, and <a href="/facts/Eurodac/bqcpSYwd">Eurodac</a> agreements – "visibly dysfunctional", stating "Germany must, therefore, make use of its right to the primacy of national law".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:144" href="#fn:144">144</a> He announced that under his leadership "there will be fundamental changes to the right of entry, asylum and residence in the Federal Republic of Germany".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:145" href="#fn:145">145</a> Merz said that if he were elected chancellor, on the first day of his term in office, he would instruct the <a href="/facts/Federal_Ministry_of_the_Interior_(Germany)/16lJlHHs">Federal Ministry of the Interior</a> to "permanently control the German state borders", and, "to reject all attempts at illegal entry without exception".[This quote needs a citation] There would be "a <a href="/facts/De_facto/3Du6WQKh">de facto</a> ban on entry into the Federal Republic of Germany for anyone who does not have valid entry documents".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:146" href="#fn:146">146</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:147" href="#fn:147">147</a> He announced a tightening of detention for departure and deportation, and he wants more powers for the <a href="/facts/Federal_Police_(Germany)/XUQ4xvcS">federal police</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:148" href="#fn:148">148</a> Regarding that, the federal police would be given the right to apply for arrest warrants. Those required to leave the country would no longer be allowed to move freely within the country, and the number of places for deportation detention would increase rapidly.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:149" href="#fn:149">149</a>

<h3>Social policy</h3>
Merz opposed the <a href="/facts/B%25C3%25BCrgergeld/3z8oltgN">Bürgergeld</a> (unemployment payment) and, like the CDU,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:150" href="#fn:150">150</a> wants to see it abolished and replaced by another system called New Basic Security.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:151" href="#fn:151">151</a> The trade union <a href="/facts/Ver.di/g4uvR8LR">ver.di</a> described CDU plans for basic security as "inhumane and unconstitutional".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:152" href="#fn:152">152</a> Merz wants to altogether cancel unemployment payments to those who could work but do not. According to Merz, there are 1.7 million recipients who meet that definition.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:153" href="#fn:153">153</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:154" href="#fn:154">154</a> 
Merz has been accused of veering between inclusive rhetoric and <a href="/facts/Dog_whistling/zcRpb0Xf">dog whistling</a>. On a TV talk show, he said that female teachers in German schools were experiencing a lack of respect from "little <a href="/facts/Pasha/Qqx1dt2J">pashas</a>", apparently referring to sons of <a href="/facts/Muslims/W2ukq4pg">Muslim</a> parents, and allegedly made "<a href="/facts/Xenophobia_in_Germany/SIyBsnEP">xenophobic</a>" remarks calling rejected asylum seekers "social tourists" who come to Germany to "get their teeth done". Weeks before, Merz had referred to some <a href="/facts/Ukrainian_refugees/9dWAVw8R">Ukrainian refugees</a> as "welfare tourists" and said that many had come to Germany seeking safety, only to then travel back and forth between both countries after securing social benefits, remarks that he later said he regretted. Merz had also complained about "problems with foreigners" and insisted on a German <a href="/facts/Leitkultur/4X4fzEGv">Leitkultur</a> (lit. 'lead culture'), a term that many argue calls for compulsory <a href="/facts/Assimilation_of_immigrants/8vNxfBhT">assimilation</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:155" href="#fn:155">155</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:156" href="#fn:156">156</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:157" href="#fn:157">157</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:158" href="#fn:158">158</a> In the 1990s, Merz was in the minority even in his conservative CDU when he voted against liberalizing <a href="/facts/Abortion_in_Germany/mQb4AzsV">Germany's abortion laws</a>, against <a href="/facts/Preimplantation_genetic_diagnosis/oYFreRLa">preimplantation genetic diagnosis</a> and criminalizing <a href="/facts/Marital_rape/TxRSkSMd">marital rape</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:159" href="#fn:159">159</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:160" href="#fn:160">160</a>

<h3>Foreign policy</h3>
<h4>General stance</h4>

Merz is a staunch supporter of the <a href="/facts/European_Union/6GYcR8qM">European Union</a>, <a href="/facts/NATO/dCeTddMY">NATO</a> and the <a href="/facts/Liberal_international_order/3kmBnTYo">liberal international order</a>. In 2018, he described himself as "a truly convinced European, a convinced transatlanticist, and a German open to the world" and said that "I stand for a cosmopolitan Germany whose roots lie in <a href="/facts/Christian_ethics/nEjJ6RMp">Christian ethics</a> and the European Enlightenment and whose most important political allies are the democracies of <a href="/facts/Western_Bloc/RS9Ev5RJ">the West</a>. I gladly use this expression again: The democracies of the West".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:161" href="#fn:161">161</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:162" href="#fn:162">162</a> He advocates a closer union and especially closer relations between Germany and France. In 2018, he co-authored an article in defence of the European project, which among other things called for "an army for Europe".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:163" href="#fn:163">163</a>
Merz is known for hawkish stances on authoritarian countries, in particular Russia and China. In 2023, Merz called for Germany to involve key allies, especially France, in negotiations with <a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a> as part of a rethinking of ties with the country that reflected a global "paradigm shift" in security and foreign policy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:164" href="#fn:164">164</a> He called China "an increasing threat to [German] security",<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:165" href="#fn:165">165</a> and criticized Scholz's decision to allow China's <a href="/facts/COSCO_Shipping/FC65agEg">COSCO</a> to take a stake in the <a href="/facts/Port_of_Hamburg/psmMPjzA">port of Hamburg</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:166" href="#fn:166">166</a>
In February 2025, Merz said that Germany would negotiate with France and the United Kingdom about extending their <a href="/facts/Nuclear_umbrella/Ko86pm39">nuclear umbrella</a> to Germany.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:167" href="#fn:167">167</a> Merz said, "We need to have discussions with both the British and the French—the two European nuclear powers—about whether <a href="/facts/Nuclear_sharing/6FEjIQQ9">nuclear sharing</a>, or at least nuclear security from the U.K. and France, could also apply to us".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:168" href="#fn:168">168</a> The move to reconvene the old Bundestag were criticized. Merz received international support for the financial package from NATO Secretary General <a href="/facts/Mark_Rutte/t8HUcp6n">Mark Rutte</a> and EU Commission President <a href="/facts/Ursula_von_der_Leyen/h0Q8RqDF">Ursula von der Leyen</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:169" href="#fn:169">169</a>

<h4>United States</h4>
Long considered one of the most pro-American politicians in Germany and "exceptionally pro-American for a European leader",<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:170" href="#fn:170">170</a> he has been the chairman of the <a href="/facts/Atlantik-Br%25C3%25BCcke/MCf1KRUU">Atlantik-Brücke</a> association which promotes German-American friendship and <a href="/facts/Atlanticism/Jv15gmSh">Atlanticism</a>. He counts former US President <a href="/facts/Ronald_Reagan/z6AaKAad">Ronald Reagan</a> as one of his role models and has travelled to the US over 100 times.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:171" href="#fn:171">171</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:172" href="#fn:172">172</a>
Merz has criticized <a href="/facts/Donald_Trump/pqqKY21P">Donald Trump</a> more harshly than Angela Merkel did and has especially criticized Trump's <a href="/facts/Second_Trump_tariffs/UbUyRCXQ">trade war against Europe</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:173" href="#fn:173">173</a> In fall of 2024, he said with regards to relations to the US and Russia, he would try to make himself "a little more independent from the US", as the US would be "in election mode" and "not the regulatory power that we were actually used to".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:174" href="#fn:174">174</a> When polls during the <a href="/facts/2024_German_government_crisis/SDRYvpqn">2024 German government crisis</a> predicted that Merz would be the most likely to become the next chancellor, he said that Germany "must go from being a sleeping middle power to becoming a leading middle power again". Germany "never really articulated and enforced its interests well enough [...] The aim is not to benefit only one side, but to make arrangements that are good for both sides. Trump would call it a deal".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:175" href="#fn:175">175</a> In January 2025 he said regarding the United States, "We Europeans must be united [...] and those who travel to Washington must not only represent their own interests but the interests of the whole European Union".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:176" href="#fn:176">176</a>
In February 2025, Merz said Europe urgently strengthen its defences and potentially even find a replacement for NATO, within months.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:177" href="#fn:177">177</a> Merz has criticized the Trump-led United States for alleged election interference after American government officials tried to bolster the right-wing populist <a href="/facts/Alternative_for_Germany/kTCco2TS">Alternative for Germany</a> (AfD) party, regarded as extremist by <a href="/facts/Federal_Office_for_the_Protection_of_the_Constitution/Y3Czk946">Germany's domestic intelligence agency</a>, comparing it to Russian election interference.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:178" href="#fn:178">178</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:179" href="#fn:179">179</a>
A week after the beginning of his chancellorship, Merz said at the summit of the <a href="/facts/European_Political_Community/kISndG1x">European Political Community</a> that Europe has to "undertake all efforts to keep the Americans on our side" and "can't substitute or replace what the Americans still do for us."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:180" href="#fn:180">180</a>

<h4>Russia and its invasion of Ukraine</h4>

Following the start of the <a href="/facts/2022_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine/TTeQCgSl">2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine</a>, Merz adopted strong pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian positions, urging Chancellor <a href="/facts/Olaf_Scholz/m6WEvQjG">Olaf Scholz</a> to supply Ukraine with weapons and personally travelling to <a href="/facts/Kyiv/uVAMxK8R">Kyiv</a> in May to meet Ukrainian President <a href="/facts/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy/XaAUoF3n">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:181" href="#fn:181">181</a> 
While Merz, as opposition leader, had demanded that the <a href="/facts/Scholz_cabinet/vCUKAtCx">German government of Scholz</a> deliver German <a href="/facts/Taurus_KEPD_350/u5LXys9M">Taurus cruise missiles</a> to Ukraine,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:182" href="#fn:182">182</a> he himself said that he would not necessarily deliver Taurus cruise missiles if he were chancellor. As chancellor, he would provide them if Russia or Vladimir Putin did not comply with Germany's and other European countries' request to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and on the condition that France and Great Britain, for their part, lift the range limitation on the weapons they delivered to Ukraine. Merz said he would, as chancellor, try to bring about a European decision on the matter of the question of whether to allow Ukraine to strike against targets deep within Russian territory with Western weapons. He said he would also signal <a href="/facts/Vladimir_Putin/DcQdxqbj">Putin</a> his <a href="/facts/Peace_negotiations_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine/wSHURsb5">willingness to talk</a> beforehand.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:183" href="#fn:183">183</a> In December 2024 he said that Germany is letting Ukraine fight with one arm strapped on its back. Germany should instead give Ukraine the possibility to defend itself effectively with weapons from Germany.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:184" href="#fn:184">184</a> In 2025, Merz supported purchasing long-range missiles from Ukraine, adding that there were "no more range limitations for weapons delivered to Ukraine" from Germany; this change was seen by <a href="/facts/Politico/k3kQb621">Politico</a> as allowing Taurus missiles to be delivered to Ukraine in the future.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:185" href="#fn:185">185</a> He added that "Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders, against military targets on Russian territory".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:186" href="#fn:186">186</a>

<h4>Conflicts in the Middle East</h4>
See also: <a href="/facts/Germany_and_the_Gaza_war/vtVgIHDd">Germany and the Gaza war</a>
Merz is a staunch supporter of <a href="/facts/Israel/dEe3IcaY">Israel</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:187" href="#fn:187">187</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:188" href="#fn:188">188</a> However, after he was elected chancellor he has expressed "serious concern about Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:189" href="#fn:189">189</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:190" href="#fn:190">190</a> He does not see any role for Germany as a mediator in the <a href="/facts/Israeli%25E2%2580%2593Palestinian_conflict/JU7ynqCl">Israeli–Palestinian conflict</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:191" href="#fn:191">191</a> However, Merz has opined that the "<a href="/facts/Two-state_solution/qVur4GnX">two-state solution</a> remains the right long-term goal for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinians' recognition of Israel's right to exist is a basic prerequisite on the way there".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:192" href="#fn:192">192</a>
In 2023, he said, in response to the United States' admonition to Israel to abide by international law, the <a href="/facts/Israel%25E2%2580%2593United_States_relations/959V0UC7">US had a different relationship</a> to Israel <a href="/facts/Germany%25E2%2580%2593Israel_relations/VuggvFWo">than Germany</a>, and that Germany has an obligation to help the country "without ifs and buts".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:193" href="#fn:193">193</a> In October 2024, Merz successfully urged the German government to resume weapons deliveries to Israel, including spare parts for tanks.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:194" href="#fn:194">194</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:195" href="#fn:195">195</a> He proposed stripping dual nationals of their German citizenship for protesting against Israel.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:196" href="#fn:196">196</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:197" href="#fn:197">197</a>
In December 2024, after the <a href="/facts/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime/f9ov5ycf">fall of the Assad regime</a> in <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a>, he called on Europe to strengthen its ties with <a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a> "to bring political pacification to this region".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:198" href="#fn:198">198</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:199" href="#fn:199">199</a>
He criticized the <a href="/facts/International_Criminal_Court/z0VwbKkz">International Criminal Court</a>'s (ICC) decision to <a href="/facts/International_Criminal_Court_arrest_warrants_for_Israeli_leaders/gVnn00uY">issue an arrest warrant</a> for Israeli Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Benjamin_Netanyahu/581DW7MB">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> for alleged <a href="/facts/Israeli_war_crimes_in_the_Gaza_war/DCunTJkc">war crimes</a> during the <a href="/facts/Gaza_war/dmUoIpBw">Gaza war</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:200" href="#fn:200">200</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:201" href="#fn:201">201</a> In February 2025, one day after the <a href="/facts/2025_German_federal_election/vjlpEcEN">2025 German federal election</a>, he announced his will to invite Netanyahu to Germany, "as an open challenge" to the decision of the ICC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:202" href="#fn:202">202</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:203" href="#fn:203">203</a> 
In May 2025, Merz changed his tone, saying he no longer understands Israel's policy in Gaza.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:204" href="#fn:204">204</a>
Following the <a href="/facts/June_2025_Israeli_strikes_on_Iran/aaysJ0vm">Israeli strikes on Iran</a> on 13 June 2025, Merz stressed that "the goal must remain that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons", and reaffirmed Israel's "right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:205" href="#fn:205">205</a> Merz said in an interview to the German public television network <a href="/facts/ZDF/aAWXCMc7">ZDF</a> on 17 June 2025, on the sidelines of the <a href="/facts/51st_G7_summit/55V8J2Qm">G7 summit in Canada</a>, that "This is the dirty work that Israel is doing for all of us."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:206" href="#fn:206">206</a> On 23 June 2025, Merz voiced support for <a href="/facts/United_States_strikes_on_Iranian_nuclear_sites/wfRjpDh3">US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:207" href="#fn:207">207</a>

<h3>Energy policy</h3>

Merz called the phase-out of <a href="/facts/Nuclear_power_in_Germany/Fz24gbDN">nuclear power in Germany</a> a "grave strategic mistake".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:208" href="#fn:208">208</a>

<h3>Environmental policy</h3>
In April 2023, Merz declared that everyone in the CDU takes the issue of <a href="/facts/Climate_change/rEN4BDE7">climate change</a> very seriously. However, he went on to claim that the issue of climate change is overrated in the political debate and that the German population does not see the problem as significant as politicians do. Merz went on to deny that time is running out for successful climate change measures and that the country will be on the right track if it makes the right decisions over the next decade.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:209" href="#fn:209">209</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:210" href="#fn:210">210</a>
In 2023, Merz opposed the proposed EU <a href="/facts/Phase-out_of_fossil_fuel_vehicles/lg5tkJDe">phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles</a> and <a href="/facts/Hybrid_vehicle/yzQ3QQLA">hybrid vehicles</a> by 2035, stating that the fight for <a href="/facts/Net-zero_emissions/llsAknfI">net-zero emissions</a> "must be achieved with technology and open-mindedness, not bans".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:211" href="#fn:211">211</a>
He blamed the crisis at <a href="/facts/Volkswagen/LDkDEfDu">Volkswagen</a> on the Scholz government's focus on <a href="/facts/Electric_vehicle/jhCbx5ur">electromobility</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:212" href="#fn:212">212</a>
Merz supports a business-friendly adaptation of the <a href="/facts/European_Green_Deal/Rl4omaD2">European Green Deal</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:213" href="#fn:213">213</a>

<h3>Approach towards the AfD</h3>
In November 2018, he reiterated that the CDU must clearly distance itself from the <a href="/facts/Alternative_for_Germany/kTCco2TS">Alternative for Germany</a> (AfD), reiterating allegations that the latter is openly <a href="/facts/National_Socialist/JjsMI4lE">National Socialist</a> and has antisemitic undertones.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:214" href="#fn:214">214</a> In 2019, he said it was right for the CDU to refuse co-operation with the AfD.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:215" href="#fn:215">215</a> However, in the same year Merz spoke in favour of a "more calm approach" to the AfD: "I would have long since elected an AfD vice president in the <a href="/facts/Bundestag/RN6CPKa2">Bundestag</a> (federal parliament). [...] This party was elected with 12.6 percent. It has neither been banned nor classified as unconstitutional. It has millions of voters behind it who should not be made to play the victim".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:216" href="#fn:216">216</a> In December 2021, shortly before taking over the party chairmanship, he said: "The state associations [of the CDU], especially in the east, are getting a crystal clear message from us: If anyone raises a hand to work with the AfD, then a party exclusion procedure will take place the next day".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:217" href="#fn:217">217</a> However, Merz did not take action against the steadily increasing local cooperation between CDU politicians and AfD politicians from the following year onwards, partially due to the AfD's rising electoral performance. In June 2023, he declared that cooperation between the two parties would only be prohibited in "legislative bodies", by which he meant the <a href="/facts/EU_parliament/H9WLUd1r">EU</a>, federal and <a href="/facts/Landtag/MUxX7gP3">state levels</a>. A month later, after being criticized over an apparent failure to implement his "announcement" from December 2021, he reiterated his differentiation regarding <a href="/facts/Administrative_division/s8dnhhYm">political levels</a> and said that in local parliaments, "of course [...] we must look for ways to jointly shape the city, the state and the district".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:218" href="#fn:218">218</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:219" href="#fn:219">219</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:220" href="#fn:220">220</a> Merz was criticized by large parts of his own party, who feared a crumbling of the <a href="/facts/Firewall_against_the_far-right_in_Germany/5BBIjAvh">firewall against the far right</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:221" href="#fn:221">221</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:222" href="#fn:222">222</a> <a href="/facts/List_of_minister-presidents_of_Saxony/0yozweKL">Minister-President of Saxony</a>, <a href="/facts/Michael_Kretschmer/E5Da3dnE">Michael Kretschmer</a> (CDU), however, declared that a refusal of cross-party cooperation in substantive decisions at the local level was not sustainable in a democracy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:223" href="#fn:223">223</a> In June 2023, Merz retracted his promise in 2018 to halve the AfD, saying that his party in the opposition could not halve the AfD if the government counteracted by "strengthening it" with its policies.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:224" href="#fn:224">224</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:225" href="#fn:225">225</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:226" href="#fn:226">226</a>
Before the <a href="/facts/2025_German_federal_election/vjlpEcEN">federal election</a>, Merz repeatedly ruled out any possibility of a coalition between CDU and AfD.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:227" href="#fn:227">227</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:228" href="#fn:228">228</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:229" href="#fn:229">229</a> Merz passionately stated in early January 2025, that under his leadership "there won't be a cooperation between the CDU and the AfD" – stating that the CDU would "sell its soul" in doing so – and that he "ties his destiny as party chairman" to this commitment.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:230" href="#fn:230">230</a> The CDU later that month, after <a href="/facts/2025_Aschaffenburg_stabbing/RlabXnhy">a deadly knife attack</a> perpetrated by an <a href="/facts/Afghans/cNRx8NEQ">Afghan</a> migrant, who had no <a href="/facts/Residence_permit/9nEGUlrJ">residence permit</a>, issued a motion regarding migration into the federal parliament, which attained a majority due to the AfD voting alongside the CDU.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:231" href="#fn:231">231</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:232" href="#fn:232">232</a> With this motion, Merz ignored his own proposal, that he uttered in November 2024, to only put questions to the vote that would find a majority without the AfD.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:233" href="#fn:233">233</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:234" href="#fn:234">234</a> Merz claimed that the Union has "not spoken to the AfD, does not discuss things with them", or "compare texts", but that it proposes what it "believes to be right in the matter", insisting that putting a motion to a vote in the Bundestag did not constitute co-operation with the AfD.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:235" href="#fn:235">235</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:236" href="#fn:236">236</a> The Bundestag went on to reject the CDU's proposed legislation a few days later, largely due to a dozen CDU legislators abstaining, a decision seen to be sparked by the AfD-related controversy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:237" href="#fn:237">237</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:238" href="#fn:238">238</a>
After the <a href="/facts/Federal_Office_for_the_Protection_of_the_Constitution/Y3Czk946">Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution</a> (BfV), Germany's domestic intelligence agency, classified the federal branch of the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavour" just days before Merz' election as Chancellor of Germany,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:239" href="#fn:239">239</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:240" href="#fn:240">240</a> Merz announced that his government will analyse the expert opinion by the BfV on the AfD before deciding on how to proceed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:241" href="#fn:241">241</a>

<h3>Secondary activities as a member of federal parliament</h3>
Merz has been known for his many secondary jobs over several legislative periods. As a member of the <a href="/facts/Bundestag/RN6CPKa2">Bundestag</a> (federal parliament of Germany), Merz had a total of 18 secondary jobs in the 14th legislative period (2002–2005)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:242" href="#fn:242">242</a> and at least 11 secondary jobs in the 15th legislative period (2005–2009).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:243" href="#fn:243">243</a> In 2006 alone, Merz was represented on the boards of eight different companies.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:244" href="#fn:244">244</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:245" href="#fn:245">245</a> In 2007, <a href="/facts/Manager_Magazin/vYclx6uF">Manager Magazine</a> wrote about Merz's secondary jobs:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:246" href="#fn:246">246</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:247" href="#fn:247">247</a>

<blockquote>Merz probably earns a nice six-figure sum annually for his work in the law firm. For the year 2006, a conservative estimate shows that Merz's additional income, apart from his lawyer's salary, amounts to a quarter of a million euros.</blockquote>
His many secondary activities raised concerns over whether Merz takes his mandate as a member of the Bundestag seriously and thoroughly.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:248" href="#fn:248">248</a> In 2007, Merz wrote a letter to his voters in an attempt to defend himself against criticism of his secondary activities.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:249" href="#fn:249">249</a>
In 2021, before the <a href="/facts/2021_German_federal_election/Qpx9XSyT">federal election</a> and 12 years after he left the Bundestag in 2009, Merz announced that he would no longer pursue any "professional activities outside of politics" if he were to be re-elected to the Bundestag.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:250" href="#fn:250">250</a>

<h3>Lawsuit against disclosure of additional income</h3>
In 2005, the law was amended to require the public disclosure of income from secondary activities of members of parliament. Merz reportedly had 18,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:251" href="#fn:251">251</a> 11,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:252" href="#fn:252">252</a> or, according to the management of the <a href="/facts/Bundestag/RN6CPKa2">Bundestag</a>, 14 secondary activities in addition to his parliamentary work. Together with eight other members of the Bundestag, Merz filed a lawsuit against the disclosure of their secondary income at the <a href="/facts/Federal_Constitutional_Court/fdDeByo9">Federal Constitutional Court</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:253" href="#fn:253">253</a> Among other arguments, the plaintiffs claimed that the disclosure requirement would encourage MPs to pursue career politics, potentially distancing them from real-life experiences.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:254" href="#fn:254">254</a> In July 2007, the Federal Constitutional Court rejected the lawsuit in two parts. It ruled unanimously that the political mandate must be central to parliamentary activities. In a tied 4–4 vote, it upheld the disclosure requirement and enforcement mechanism, arguing that transparency to voters about potential conflicts of interest ensures the independence of the Bundestag.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:255" href="#fn:255">255</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:256" href="#fn:256">256</a> 

<h3>Millionaire and middle-class debate</h3>
In November 2018, when asked in an interview with the <a href="/facts/Tabloid_journalism/uoEdrrBn">tabloid</a> media <a href="/facts/Bild/Quva2xcv">Bild</a>, Merz said that he was a millionaire (without distinguishing between income and wealth millionaires) and thus would belong in his understanding to the upper <a href="/facts/Middle_class/6EUq9Mue">middle class</a>. He later specified that he, at that time, earned "around one million euros gross" per year.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:257" href="#fn:257">257</a> These statements met with a broad public pushback and sparked wider criticism in Germany.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:258" href="#fn:258">258</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:259" href="#fn:259">259</a> Journalists, economists and financial advisors in Germany placed Merz in the upper class.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:260" href="#fn:260">260</a> According to the <a href="/facts/German_Federal_Bank/HwVD1Qjb">German Federal Bank</a>, at the time in question, a total net worth of over €722,000 put an individual in the top 5 percent of the German population by wealth. Merz's private assets include real estate and two aircraft.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:261" href="#fn:261">261</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:262" href="#fn:262">262</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:263" href="#fn:263">263</a>

<h3>LGBT+ people</h3>
Merz has made statements about <a href="/facts/LGBT%252B/WhVPgNDn">LGBT+</a> people perceived as insensitive. When asked in 2001 about Berlin's then mayor <a href="/facts/Klaus_Wowereit/uxpKxd9F">Klaus Wowereit</a> coming out as <a href="/facts/Gay/5zNNpbbW">gay</a>, he said "as long as he doesn't come near me, I don't care".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:264" href="#fn:264">264</a> In November 2018, Merz said that introducing <a href="/facts/Same-sex_marriage_in_Germany/FTT6Cecu">same-sex marriage in Germany</a> was the right thing to do.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:265" href="#fn:265">265</a> In September 2020, Merz was asked if he would have reservations about a gay chancellor, and said "concerning the question of sexual orientation, as long as it is within the scope of the law and does not concern children—at this point I reach my absolute limits—it is not an issue for public discussion".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:266" href="#fn:266">266</a> He clarified after an outcry that he had not meant to link homosexuality with pedophilia.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:267" href="#fn:267">267</a>

<h2 id="other-activities">Other activities</h2>
<ul><li>Deutsche Nationalstiftung, Member of the Senate<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:268" href="#fn:268">268</a></li>
<li>Peace of Westphalia Prize, Member of the Jury<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:269" href="#fn:269">269</a></li>
<li>Bayer Foundation for German and International Labour and Business Law, Member of the Board of Trustees (1998–2002)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/KfW/nHdK20jL">KfW</a>, Member of the supervisory board (2003–2004)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:270" href="#fn:270">270</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Ludwig_Erhard_Foundation/9V6Yyx6F">Ludwig Erhard Foundation</a>, Member (1998–2005)</li></ul>
<h2 id="personal-life">Personal life</h2>
Merz is married to judge Charlotte Merz (née Gass). They have three children together and reside in <a href="/facts/Arnsberg/BsMpUKlf">Arnsberg</a> in the <a href="/facts/Sauerland/zQNNMqM4">Sauerland</a> region.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:271" href="#fn:271">271</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:272" href="#fn:272">272</a> He is the first chancellor in 27 years (since <a href="/facts/Helmut_Kohl/xYLDwu2R">Helmut Kohl</a>) to have biological children (although <a href="/facts/Gerhard_Schr%25C3%25B6der/QqL5e4c6">Gerhard Schröder</a> adopted a daughter from Russia in July 2004).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:273" href="#fn:273">273</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:274" href="#fn:274">274</a> Their son, born in 1981, holds a doctorate in philosophy, their elder daughter is a physician, and their younger daughter is a lawyer.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:275" href="#fn:275">275</a> Merz has seven grandchildren.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:276" href="#fn:276">276</a> In 2005, Merz and his wife established the Friedrich und Charlotte Merz Stiftung, a foundation supporting projects in the education sector.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:277" href="#fn:277">277</a> In addition to his native language Merz also speaks English and French.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:278" href="#fn:278">278</a> 
In 2018, Merz rejected the Ludwig Erhard Prize, citing objections to publications by the chairman of the <a href="/facts/Ludwig_Erhard_Foundation/9V6Yyx6F">Ludwig Erhard Foundation</a>, <a href="/facts/Roland_Tichy/mwa8toTM">Roland Tichy</a>, considered by some to be on the extreme right.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:279" href="#fn:279">279</a>

<h2 id="book">Book</h2>
<ul><li>Friedrich Merz (2008). Mehr Kapitalismus wagen: Wege zu einer gerechten Gesellschaft (in German). Munich: <a href="/facts/Piper_Verlag/6wExVwJD">Piper Verlag</a>. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-3-492-05157-6. <a href="/facts/LCCN_(identifier)/5hb5Cw2V">LCCN</a> <a href="https://lccn.loc.gov/2010514604">2010514604</a>. <a href="/facts/OCLC_(identifier)/Yqad8waq">OCLC</a> <a href="https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/634130092">634130092</a>. <a href="/facts/OL_(identifier)/A13NLNNh">OL</a> <a href="https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24354103M">24354103M</a>. <a href="/facts/WDQ_(identifier)/5Myy74K5">Wikidata</a> Q130425553.</li></ul>
<h2 id="notes">Notes</h2>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.friedrich-merz.de/">Official website</a> (in German)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.die-wirtschaftsnews.de/friedrich-merz-wie-phoenix-aus-der-asche/">German article about his political comeback / die-wirtschaftsnews</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?144754">Appearances</a> on <a href="/facts/C-SPAN/MdgMU5eM">C-SPAN</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">/mɛərts/; German: [joˈaxɪm ˈfʁiːdʁɪç ˈmɛʁts][1] <a href="/wiki/Help:IPA/English" target="_blank">/wiki/Help:IPA/English</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Escritt, Thomas (31 October 2018). "Conservative contenders vie to overturn Merkel's centrism". Reuters. Archived from the original on 31 October 2018. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics/conservative-contenders-vie-to-overturn-merkels-centrism-idUSKCN1N51CT" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics/conservative-contenders-vie-to-overturn-merkels-centrism-idUSKCN1N51CT</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Huggler, Justin (31 October 2018). "Merkel rival Friedrich Merz emerges as surprise early frontrunner to succeed chancellor". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 31 October 2018. <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/31/merkel-rival-friedrich-merz-emerges-surprise-early-frontrunner/" target="_blank">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/31/merkel-rival-friedrich-merz-emerges-surprise-early-frontrunner/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Neukirch, Ralf; Schult, Christoph (29 June 2003). "Der Männerbund" [The Men's Association]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Weiland, Severin (8 February 2007). "Enthüllung: Wie Merkels und Merz' Feindschaft begann" [Revelations: How Merkel and Merz's enmity began]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/enthuellung-wie-merkels-und-merz-feindschaft-begann-a-465136.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/enthuellung-wie-merkels-und-merz-feindschaft-begann-a-465136.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Neukirch, Ralf; Schult, Christoph (29 June 2003). "Der Männerbund" [The Men's Association]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Sorge, Nils-Viktor (20 May 2014). "Ex-CDU-Star Friedrich Merz: Ganz unten" [Ex CDU star Friedrich Merz and the career setback]. manager-magazin.de (in German). Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2021. <a href="https://www.manager-magazin.de/politik/deutschland/ex-cdu-star-friedrich-merz-und-der-karriereknick-a-970377.html" target="_blank">https://www.manager-magazin.de/politik/deutschland/ex-cdu-star-friedrich-merz-und-der-karriereknick-a-970377.html</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"Hat Friedrich Merz wirklich zwei Flugzeuge?" [Does Friedrich Merz really have two planes?]. stern.de (in German). 28 November 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. <a href="https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/hat-friedrich-merz-wirklich-zwei-flugzeuge--8467946.html" target="_blank">https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/hat-friedrich-merz-wirklich-zwei-flugzeuge--8467946.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Braun, Stefan (2018). "Die große Zeitenwende ist eine Chance für die CDU" [The great turning point is an opportunity for the CDU]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). ISSN 0174-4917. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018. <a href="https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532" target="_blank">https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Connolly, Kate (7 December 2018). "Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer elected Merkel's successor as CDU leader". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/07/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-elected-merkels-successor-as-christian-democrat-leader" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/07/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-elected-merkels-successor-as-christian-democrat-leader</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"Laschet zum neuen CDU-Chef gewählt" [Laschet elected new CDU leader]. tagesschau.de (in German). 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"Pragmatic governor Laschet elected to lead Merkel's party". Associated Press. 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183" target="_blank">https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"German exit polls: Clear win for Merz's centre-right CDU/CSU". Yahoo News. 23 February 2025. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/german-exit-polls-clear-win-171847620.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall" target="_blank">https://www.yahoo.com/news/german-exit-polls-clear-win-171847620.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Parker, Jessica (23 February 2025). "Friedrich Merz: Risk-taker who flirted with far right". BBC News. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxnzkyw7n1o" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxnzkyw7n1o</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">"Germany's Merz set to be elected chancellor on May 6, sources say". Reuters. 11 April 2025. Archived from the original on 12 April 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2025. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-merz-set-be-elected-chancellor-may-6-source-says-2025-04-11/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-merz-set-be-elected-chancellor-may-6-source-says-2025-04-11/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Picheta, Rob (6 May 2025). "Merz wins on second ballot to be Germany's next chancellor, hours after historic defeat in first round". CNN. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/06/europe/merz-chancellor-german-parliament-intl" target="_blank">https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/06/europe/merz-chancellor-german-parliament-intl</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">"Merz will CDU-Chef werden: 'Wir brauchen Aufbruch und Erneuerung, keinen Umsturz'" [Merz wants to become CDU leader: 'We need a new beginning and renewal, not a coup']. Die Welt (in German). 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. <a href="https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article183054050/Merz-will-CDU-Chef-werden-Wir-brauchen-Aufbruch-und-Erneuerung-keinen-Umsturz.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article183054050/Merz-will-CDU-Chef-werden-Wir-brauchen-Aufbruch-und-Erneuerung-keinen-Umsturz.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"Time to wake up: We are deeply concerned about the future of Europe and Germany". Handelsblatt. Archived from the original on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123542/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/opinion/time-to-wake-up-we-are-deeply-concerned-about-the-future-of-europe-and-germany/23583722.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123542/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/opinion/time-to-wake-up-we-are-deeply-concerned-about-the-future-of-europe-and-germany/23583722.html</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">"Friedrich Merz: Who is Germany's election winner and how will he fare against AfD leader Alice Weidel?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-election-merz-chancellor-weidel-who-cdu-b2703412.html" target="_blank">https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-election-merz-chancellor-weidel-who-cdu-b2703412.html</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">Lohse, Eckart. "Friedrich Merz: Dieser Kandidat passt nicht auf einen Bierdeckel" [Friedrich Merz: this candidate does not fit onto a drink coaster]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. <a href="https://www.faz.net/1.5867546" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/1.5867546</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">"Parteien: Friedrich Merz' Vater verlässt die CDU im Groll" [Parties: Friedrich Merz's father leaves the CDU in anger]. Die Welt (in German). 12 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. <a href="https://www.welt.de/politik/article698654/Friedrich-Merz-Vater-verlaesst-die-CDU-im-Groll.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/politik/article698654/Friedrich-Merz-Vater-verlaesst-die-CDU-im-Groll.html</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">Chassany, Anne-Sylvaine (5 February 2025). "Can Friedrich Merz still fix Germany?". Financial Times. FT. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/4dcf2099-152b-45bf-acbb-811ea638ca2c" target="_blank">https://www.ft.com/content/4dcf2099-152b-45bf-acbb-811ea638ca2c</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">"Friedrich Merz profile". Munzinger Online. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. <a href="http://www.munzinger.de/document/00000022889" target="_blank">http://www.munzinger.de/document/00000022889</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"Sauvigny". Deutsches Geschlechterbuch. Vol. 38. <a href="/wiki/Deutsches_Geschlechterbuch" target="_blank">/wiki/Deutsches_Geschlechterbuch</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">"Merz bejubelt rechten Großvater" [Merz applauds right-wing grandfather]. Die Tageszeitung: Taz (in German). 16 January 2004. p. 1. Archived from the original on 4 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2021. <a href="https://taz.de/Merz-bejubelt-rechten-Grossvater/!806584/" target="_blank">https://taz.de/Merz-bejubelt-rechten-Grossvater/!806584/</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">Claus Jacobi, Im Rad der Geschichte: Deutsche Verhältnisse, pg. 166, Herbig, 2002. <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:27">"Elternhaus von Friedrich Merz in Brilon nun vor dem Verkauf?" [Friedrich Merz's parents' house in Brilon now up for sale?] (in German). 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. <a href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/elternhaus-von-friedrich-merz-in-brilon-nun-vor-dem-verkauf-id233857987.html" target="_blank">https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/elternhaus-von-friedrich-merz-in-brilon-nun-vor-dem-verkauf-id233857987.html</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">"Brilon: Wer hat das Kleingeld für dieses Kleinod?" [Brilon: Who has the change for this gem?] (in German). 22 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. <a href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/brilon-wer-hat-das-kleingeld-fuer-dieses-kleinod-id233653161.html" target="_blank">https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/brilon-wer-hat-das-kleingeld-fuer-dieses-kleinod-id233653161.html</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">"Friedrich Merz gibt in TV-Duell private Schicksalsschläge preis" (in German). Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20250221082505/https://www.focus.de/kultur/stars/im-tv-duell-spricht-friedrich-merz-ploetzlich-ueber-private-schicksalsschlaege_e144645e-301f-4db9-a406-d572e2b41ba8.html" target="_blank">http://web.archive.org/web/20250221082505/https://www.focus.de/kultur/stars/im-tv-duell-spricht-friedrich-merz-ploetzlich-ueber-private-schicksalsschlaege_e144645e-301f-4db9-a406-d572e2b41ba8.html</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:30">"Interview aus dem Jahr 2000: "Es gab auch mal einen anderen Friedrich Merz"". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). ISSN 1865-2263. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/es-gab-auch-mal-einen-anderen-friedrich-merz-5305378.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/es-gab-auch-mal-einen-anderen-friedrich-merz-5305378.html</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:31">"Porträt des CDU-Politikers: Die Ideen des Merz". RP ONLINE (in German). 20 November 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2025. <a href="https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-ein-portraet-der-provokateur_aid-34589155" target="_blank">https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-ein-portraet-der-provokateur_aid-34589155</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:32">"Porträt in Bildern: Das ist Friedrich Merz". RP ONLINE (in German). 23 February 2025. Archived from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025. <a href="https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-portraet-des-cdu-politikers_bid-34235939#1" target="_blank">https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-portraet-des-cdu-politikers_bid-34235939#1</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:33">"Haben Sie eigentlich gedient, Herr Merz?" [Have you actually served, Mr. Merz?]. Der Spiegel (in German). 5 April 2001. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/40-jahre-zivildienst-haben-sie-eigentlich-gedient-herr-merz-a-126706.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/40-jahre-zivildienst-haben-sie-eigentlich-gedient-herr-merz-a-126706.html</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:34">"Friedrich Merz im Interview: "Worte reichen nicht: Wir müssen die Zeitenwende mit Leben füllen"" [Friedrich Merz in an interview: "Words are not enough: We must fill the turning point with life"]. dbwv.de (in German). 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023. <a href="https://www.dbwv.de/aktuelle-themen/blickpunkt/beitrag/worte-reichen-nicht-wir-muessen-die-zeitenwende-mit-leben-fuellen" target="_blank">https://www.dbwv.de/aktuelle-themen/blickpunkt/beitrag/worte-reichen-nicht-wir-muessen-die-zeitenwende-mit-leben-fuellen</a> <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:35">"Friedrich Merz – Atlantik-Brücke e.V." Atlantik-Brücke e.V. (in German). Archived from the original on 31 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052330/https://www.atlantik-bruecke.org/die-atlantik-bruecke/vorstand/friedrich-merz/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052330/https://www.atlantik-bruecke.org/die-atlantik-bruecke/vorstand/friedrich-merz/</a> <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:36">Lohse, Eckart. "Friedrich Merz: Dieser Kandidat passt nicht auf einen Bierdeckel" [Friedrich Merz: this candidate does not fit onto a drink coaster]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. <a href="https://www.faz.net/1.5867546" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/1.5867546</a> <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:37">"Wahlkampf: Stoiber-Team ohne Kompetenz bei den Staatsfinanzen" [Election campaign: Stoiber team lacks competence in public finances]. Spiegel Online. 22 January 2002. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wahlkampf-stoiber-team-ohne-kompetenz-bei-den-staatsfinanzen-a-178384.html" target="_blank">http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wahlkampf-stoiber-team-ohne-kompetenz-bei-den-staatsfinanzen-a-178384.html</a> <a href="#fnref:37" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:38">Weiland, Severin (8 February 2007). "Enthüllung: Wie Merkels und Merz' Feindschaft begann" [Revelations: How Merkel and Merz's enmity began]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/enthuellung-wie-merkels-und-merz-feindschaft-begann-a-465136.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/enthuellung-wie-merkels-und-merz-feindschaft-begann-a-465136.html</a> <a href="#fnref:38" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:39">Staud, Toralf [in German] (22 January 2004). "Opa war okay" [Granddad was okay]. Zeit Online (in German). Archived from the original on 15 February 2004. Retrieved 27 May 2025. <a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toralf_Staud" target="_blank">https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toralf_Staud</a> <a href="#fnref:39" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:40">Schwarz, Patrik (19 January 2004). "Nicht der Opa ist das Problem: Der seltsame Stolz des Friedrich Merz" [Not granddad who is the problem: Friedrich Merz's strange pride]. Die Tageszeitung (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2025 – via haGalil. <a href="https://www.hagalil.com/archiv/2004/01/merz.htm" target="_blank">https://www.hagalil.com/archiv/2004/01/merz.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:40" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:41">Tiegeler, Martin (16 January 2004). "Merz bejubelt rechten Großvater" [Merz applauds right-wing grandfather]. Die Tageszeitung (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2025 – via taz.de. <a href="https://taz.de/Merz-bejubelt-rechten-Grossvater/!806584/" target="_blank">https://taz.de/Merz-bejubelt-rechten-Grossvater/!806584/</a> <a href="#fnref:41" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:42">Levine, Tom (21 January 2004). ""Ohne eigenes Zutun" von der SA-Reserve in die NSDAP: Merz verteidigt Vita seines Großvaters" ["Without his own efforts" from the SA reserve to the NSDAP: Merz defends his grandfather's life]. Berliner Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2025. <a href="https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/archiv/ohne-eigenes-zutun-von-der-sa-reserve-in-die-nsdap-merz-verteidigt-vita-seines-grossvaters-li.723953" target="_blank">https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/archiv/ohne-eigenes-zutun-von-der-sa-reserve-in-die-nsdap-merz-verteidigt-vita-seines-grossvaters-li.723953</a> <a href="#fnref:42" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:43">Schumacher, Hajo (3 November 2005). "Union: 'Anden-Pakt' nimmt Friedrich Merz auf" [Union: "Andean Pact" accepts Friedrich Merz]. Der Spiegel. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012 – via Spiegel Online. <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/union-anden-pakt-nimmt-friedrich-merz-auf-a-382963.html" target="_blank">http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/union-anden-pakt-nimmt-friedrich-merz-auf-a-382963.html</a> <a href="#fnref:43" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:44">Neukirch, Ralf; Schult, Christoph (29 June 2003). "Der Männerbund" [The Men's Association]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155</a> <a href="#fnref:44" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:45">Pohlmann, Sonja (11 October 2006). "Nebenjobs: Abgeordnete klagen gegen transparente Politiker-Gehälter" [Second jobs: MPs sue against transparent politicians' salaries]. Der Spiegel. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/nebenjobs-abgeordnete-klagen-gegen-transparente-politiker-gehaelter-a-441894.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/nebenjobs-abgeordnete-klagen-gegen-transparente-politiker-gehaelter-a-441894.html</a> <a href="#fnref:45" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:46">"Friedrich Merz". mayerbrown.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2011. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120406104045/http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=M480617703" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120406104045/http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=M480617703</a> <a href="#fnref:46" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:47">Riedel, Donata (23 December 2004), "Nicht süchtig nach Politik: Friedrich Merz" [Not addicted to politics: Friedrich Merz], Handelsblatt, archived from the original on 23 February 2012 <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120223145514/https://www.handelsblatt.com/archiv/nicht-suechtig-nach-politik-friedrich-merz;838562" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120223145514/https://www.handelsblatt.com/archiv/nicht-suechtig-nach-politik-friedrich-merz;838562</a> <a href="#fnref:47" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:48">"Long march: The man who would be chancellor: Merz's delayed political comeback". Handelsblatt. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2018. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200228160136/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/politics/long-march-the-man-who-would-be-chancellor-merzs-delayed-political-comeback/23583798.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20200228160136/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/politics/long-march-the-man-who-would-be-chancellor-merzs-delayed-political-comeback/23583798.html</a> <a href="#fnref:48" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:49">Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia (7 November 2017). "Ministerpräsident Armin Laschet beruft Friedrich Merz zum Beauftragten für die Folgen des Brexits und die transatlantischen Beziehungen" [Minister-President Armin Laschet appoints Friedrich Merz as Commissioner for the Consequences of Brexit and Transatlantic Relations]. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. <a href="/wiki/List_of_Ministers-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia" target="_blank">/wiki/List_of_Ministers-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia</a> <a href="#fnref:49" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:50">Corinna Schulz (18 December 2020). "074 Flughafen Köln/Bonn Friedrich Merz tritt als Aufsichtsratschef zurück" [074 Cologne/Bonn Airport Friedrich Merz resigns as Chairman of the Supervisory Board]. Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. <a href="https://www.ksta.de/wirtschaft/flughafen-koeln-bonn-friedrich-merz-tritt-als-aufsichtsratschef-zurueck-37838896?cb=1608379681" target="_blank">https://www.ksta.de/wirtschaft/flughafen-koeln-bonn-friedrich-merz-tritt-als-aufsichtsratschef-zurueck-37838896?cb=1608379681</a> <a href="#fnref:50" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:51">Eyk Henning (17 January 2016). "BlackRock Hires Former Merkel Deputy for Its German Operations". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackrock-hires-former-merkel-deputy-for-its-german-operations-1453054735" target="_blank">https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackrock-hires-former-merkel-deputy-for-its-german-operations-1453054735</a> <a href="#fnref:51" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:52">Robert Landgraf (3 June 2020). "Blackrock findet Nachfolger für Friedrich Merz" [Blackrock finds successor for Friedrich Merz]. Handelsblatt. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. <a href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/vermoegensverwalter-blackrock-findet-nachfolger-fuer-friedrich-merz/25881544.html" target="_blank">https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/vermoegensverwalter-blackrock-findet-nachfolger-fuer-friedrich-merz/25881544.html</a> <a href="#fnref:52" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:53">Robert Landgraf (28 March 2006). "Merz im Verwaltungsrat der Schweizer Stadler Rail Group" [Merz on the Board of Directors of the Swiss Stadler Rail Group]. Handelsblatt. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. <a href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/management/maschinenbau-merz-im-verwaltungsrat-der-schweizer-stadler-rail-group/2634392.html" target="_blank">https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/management/maschinenbau-merz-im-verwaltungsrat-der-schweizer-stadler-rail-group/2634392.html</a> <a href="#fnref:53" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:54">Robert Landgraf (20 February 2020). "Friedrich Merz stellt sich nicht mehr zur Wiederwahl als Verwaltungsrat bei Stadler" [Friedrich Merz will not stand for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors at Stadler]. Stadler Rail. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. <a href="https://www.stadlerrail.com/en/media/article/friedrich-merz-stellt-sich-nicht-mehr-zur-wiederwahl-als-verwaltungsrat-bei-stadler/712/" target="_blank">https://www.stadlerrail.com/en/media/article/friedrich-merz-stellt-sich-nicht-mehr-zur-wiederwahl-als-verwaltungsrat-bei-stadler/712/</a> <a href="#fnref:54" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:55">Max Haerder (20 February 2020). "Nach Blackrock-Rückzug: Friedrich Merz verlässt Stadler-Aufsichtsrat" [After Blackrock withdrawal: Friedrich Merz leaves Stadler supervisory board]. Wirtschaftswoche. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. <a href="https://www.wiwo.de/politik/deutschland/nach-blackrock-rueckzug-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-stadler-aufsichtsrat/25563856.html" target="_blank">https://www.wiwo.de/politik/deutschland/nach-blackrock-rueckzug-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-stadler-aufsichtsrat/25563856.html</a> <a href="#fnref:55" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:56">Felix Holtermann (12 April 2019). "Friedrich Merz verlässt HSBC-Aufsichtsrat" [Friedrich Merz leaves HSBC supervisory board]. Handelsblatt. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. <a href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/cdu-politiker-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-hsbc-aufsichtsrat/24215670.html" target="_blank">https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/cdu-politiker-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-hsbc-aufsichtsrat/24215670.html</a> <a href="#fnref:56" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:57">Felix Holtermann (24 July 2007). "Wechsel im Aufsichtsratsvorsitz der Axa Konzern AG" [Change in the Chairmanship of the Supervisory Board of Axa Konzern AG]. Axa Konzern AG. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. <a href="https://www.axa.de/presse/wechsel-im-aufsichtsratsvorsitz-der-axa-konzern-ag" target="_blank">https://www.axa.de/presse/wechsel-im-aufsichtsratsvorsitz-der-axa-konzern-ag</a> <a href="#fnref:57" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:58">"2010 Annual Report" (PDF). Interseroh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2014. <a href="https://www.alba.info/fileadmin/PDF/Geschaeftsberichte/2010/INTERSEROH-SE-Geschaeftsbreicht-2009-Geschaeftsbericht.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.alba.info/fileadmin/PDF/Geschaeftsberichte/2010/INTERSEROH-SE-Geschaeftsbreicht-2009-Geschaeftsbericht.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:58" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:59">Jack Ewing (16 February 2011). "For Germany's Banks, a Grim Future". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/business/global/17westlb.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/business/global/17westlb.html</a> <a href="#fnref:59" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:60">Rainer Kellers (23 March 2012). "Merz soll Wirtschaftskompetenz zeigen: Der "alte Freund" und das Nicht-Comeback" [Merz should show economic competence: The "old friend" and the non-comeback]. Westdeutscher Rundfunk. Archived from the original on 28 April 2017. <a href="http://www1.wdr.de/archiv/neuwahl/roettgen164.html" target="_blank">http://www1.wdr.de/archiv/neuwahl/roettgen164.html</a> <a href="#fnref:60" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:61">"Ordentliche Mitglieder der 15. Bundesversammlung" [Ordinary members of the 15th Federal Assembly] (PDF). Bundestag. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2014. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140708040815/https://www.bundestag.de/blob/192344/0b0787a2db63f7a3b9d158fb3c676ded/laender-data.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20140708040815/https://www.bundestag.de/blob/192344/0b0787a2db63f7a3b9d158fb3c676ded/laender-data.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:61" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:62">Wernicke, Christian (7 November 2017). "Regierungsjob für Friedrich Merz" [Government job for Friedrich Merz]. Süddeutsche Zeitung. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. <a href="http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/nordrhein-westfalen-regierungsjob-fuer-friedrich-merz-1.3739212" target="_blank">http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/nordrhein-westfalen-regierungsjob-fuer-friedrich-merz-1.3739212</a> <a href="#fnref:62" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:63">Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia (7 November 2017). "Ministerpräsident Armin Laschet beruft Friedrich Merz zum Beauftragten für die Folgen des Brexits und die transatlantischen Beziehungen" [Minister-President Armin Laschet appoints Friedrich Merz as Commissioner for the Consequences of Brexit and Transatlantic Relations]. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. <a href="/wiki/List_of_Ministers-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia" target="_blank">/wiki/List_of_Ministers-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia</a> <a href="#fnref:63" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:64">Braun, Stefan (2018). "Die große Zeitenwende ist eine Chance für die CDU" [The great turning point is an opportunity for the CDU]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). ISSN 0174-4917. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018. <a href="https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532" target="_blank">https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532</a> <a href="#fnref:64" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:65">"Merkel-Nachfolge: Schäuble beförderte Merz' Kandidatur für CDU-Vorsitz" [Merkel's successor: Schäuble promoted Merz's candidacy for CDU chairmanship]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. <a href="https://www.faz.net/1.5870575" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/1.5870575</a> <a href="#fnref:65" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:66">Braun, Stefan (2018). "Die große Zeitenwende ist eine Chance für die CDU" [The great turning point is an opportunity for the CDU]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). ISSN 0174-4917. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018. <a href="https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532" target="_blank">https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532</a> <a href="#fnref:66" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:67">Connolly, Kate (7 December 2018). "Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer elected Merkel's successor as CDU leader". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/07/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-elected-merkels-successor-as-christian-democrat-leader" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/07/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-elected-merkels-successor-as-christian-democrat-leader</a> <a href="#fnref:67" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:68">"Friedrich Merz kandidiert – und schießt gegen Laschet und Spahn" [Friedrich Merz runs for office – and attacks Laschet and Spahn]. Berliner Morgenpost (in German). 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020. <a href="https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/inland/article228535207/Friedrich-Merz-kandidiert-fuer-CDU-Parteivorsitz.html" target="_blank">https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/inland/article228535207/Friedrich-Merz-kandidiert-fuer-CDU-Parteivorsitz.html</a> <a href="#fnref:68" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:69">Leithäuser, Johannes; Wehner, Markus. "Als Team in die CDU-Spitze: Wie Laschet und Spahn ihre Mitbewerber unter Druck setzen" [As a team in the CDU leadership: How Laschet and Spahn put their competitors under pressure]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-vorsitz-armin-laschet-und-jens-spahn-als-team-16650688.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-vorsitz-armin-laschet-und-jens-spahn-als-team-16650688.html</a> <a href="#fnref:69" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:70">"Röttgen zu Bewerbung: 'Es geht um die Zukunft der CDU'" [Röttgen on application: 'It's about the future of the CDU']. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/roettgen-zu-bewerbung-um-cdu-vorsitz-geht-um-zukunft-der-cdu-16639785.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/roettgen-zu-bewerbung-um-cdu-vorsitz-geht-um-zukunft-der-cdu-16639785.html</a> <a href="#fnref:70" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:71">"CDU-Parteitag: Laschet zum neuen Parteichef gewählt" [CDU party conference: Laschet elected new party leader]. Tagesschau (in German). Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html</a> <a href="#fnref:71" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:72">"Germany: race for Merkel party leadership goes to runoff". Associated Press. 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183" target="_blank">https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183</a> <a href="#fnref:72" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:73">"Armin Laschet zum neuen CDU-Vorsitzenden gewählt" [Armin Laschet elected new CDU leader]. Der Spiegel (in German). 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/armin-laschet-zum-neuen-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-a-72cdf01e-5074-4faa-9d4f-4417fa18c00d" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/armin-laschet-zum-neuen-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-a-72cdf01e-5074-4faa-9d4f-4417fa18c00d</a> <a href="#fnref:73" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:74">"Merkels Getreuer – Armin Laschet ist neuer CDU-Chef". Deutsche Welle (in German). 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021. <a href="https://www.dw.com/de/merkels-getreuer-armin-laschet-ist-neuer-cdu-chef/a-56226300" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/de/merkels-getreuer-armin-laschet-ist-neuer-cdu-chef/a-56226300</a> <a href="#fnref:74" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:75">"Merz will Wirtschaftsminister werden" [Merz wants to become Minister of Economics]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/friedrich-merz-will-nach-pleite-bei-cdu-wahl-jetzt-wirtschaftsminister-werden-17149521.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/friedrich-merz-will-nach-pleite-bei-cdu-wahl-jetzt-wirtschaftsminister-werden-17149521.html</a> <a href="#fnref:75" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:76">Burger, Reiner; Düsseldorf. "Laschet nominiert Merz: Ein Partner, um eigene Schwächen auszugleichen" [Laschet nominates Merz: A partner to compensate for his own weaknesses]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-armin-laschet-nominiert-friedrich-merz-ins-wahlkampf-team-17316029.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-armin-laschet-nominiert-friedrich-merz-ins-wahlkampf-team-17316029.html</a> <a href="#fnref:76" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:77">Plück, Maximilian (17 April 2021). "Friedrich Merz gewinnt Kampfkandidatur im Sauerland" [Friedrich Merz wins contested candidacy in Sauerland]. Rheinische Post. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. <a href="https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-gewinnt-kampfkandidatur-im-sauerland_aid-57399157" target="_blank">https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-gewinnt-kampfkandidatur-im-sauerland_aid-57399157</a> <a href="#fnref:77" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:78">"Race to lead Angela Merkel's party in German opposition takes shape". Business Standard India. 12 November 2021. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021. <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/race-to-lead-angela-merkel-s-party-in-german-opposition-takes-shape-121111201137_1.html" target="_blank">https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/race-to-lead-angela-merkel-s-party-in-german-opposition-takes-shape-121111201137_1.html</a> <a href="#fnref:78" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:79">Moulson, Geir (12 November 2021). "Race to lead Angela Merkel's party in German opposition takes shape". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-berlin-europe-elections-national-elections-80324dba4eca2df93fbb41348984383d" target="_blank">https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-berlin-europe-elections-national-elections-80324dba4eca2df93fbb41348984383d</a> <a href="#fnref:79" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:80">"Germany's CDU ready to elect new leader to succeed Armin Laschet". Business Standard India. IANS. 19 November 2021. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021. <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/germany-s-cdu-ready-to-elect-new-leader-to-succeed-armin-laschet-121111900414_1.html" target="_blank">https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/germany-s-cdu-ready-to-elect-new-leader-to-succeed-armin-laschet-121111900414_1.html</a> <a href="#fnref:80" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:81">"CDU: Friedrich Merz wird neuer Parteichef" [CDU: Friedrich Merz becomes new party leader]. Der Spiegel (in German). 17 December 2021. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-friedrich-merz-wird-neuer-parteichef-a-e024cd46-21c9-4120-b010-0d2094db1957" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-friedrich-merz-wird-neuer-parteichef-a-e024cd46-21c9-4120-b010-0d2094db1957</a> <a href="#fnref:81" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:82">"Germany's CDU party elects Friedrich Merz, 66, new leader". Reuters. 17 December 2021. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-cdu-party-elects-friedrich-merz-66-new-leader-2021-12-17/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-cdu-party-elects-friedrich-merz-66-new-leader-2021-12-17/</a> <a href="#fnref:82" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:83">"CDU: Norbert Röttgen attackiert Friedrich Merz" [CDU: Norbert Röttgen attacks Friedrich Merz]. 16 November 2021. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-norbert-roettgen-attackiert-friedrich-merz-a-64224660-6a48-4afd-9221-2b7115dde6f1" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-norbert-roettgen-attackiert-friedrich-merz-a-64224660-6a48-4afd-9221-2b7115dde6f1</a> <a href="#fnref:83" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:84">"CDU wählt Friedrich Merz zum neuen Chef" [CDU elects Friedrich Merz as new leader]. Salzburger Nachrichten (in German). 21 January 2022. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022. <a href="https://www.sn.at/politik/weltpolitik/cdu-waehlt-friedrich-merz-zum-neuen-chef-115867060" target="_blank">https://www.sn.at/politik/weltpolitik/cdu-waehlt-friedrich-merz-zum-neuen-chef-115867060</a> <a href="#fnref:84" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:85">Vitzthum, Thomas (22 January 2022). "CDU-Parteitag: Merz trifft den richtigen Ton – und zeigt geradezu Lust auf die Oppositionsrolle" [CDU party conference: Merz hits the right note – and shows a real desire for the opposition role]. Die Welt (in German). Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022. <a href="https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus236404199/CDU-Parteitag-Merz-trifft-den-richtigen-Ton-und-zeigt-geradezu-Lust-auf-die-Oppositionsrolle.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus236404199/CDU-Parteitag-Merz-trifft-den-richtigen-Ton-und-zeigt-geradezu-Lust-auf-die-Oppositionsrolle.html</a> <a href="#fnref:85" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:86">Carstens, Peter. "Fast 95 Prozent für Merz: 'Ein starker Auftrag und ein großartiges Mandat'" [Almost 95 percent for Merz: "A strong mandate and a great mandate"]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/friedrich-merz-zum-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-17745882.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/friedrich-merz-zum-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-17745882.html</a> <a href="#fnref:86" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:87">Vitzthum, Thomas (22 January 2022). "CDU-Parteitag: Merz trifft den richtigen Ton – und zeigt geradezu Lust auf die Oppositionsrolle" [CDU party conference: Merz hits the right note – and shows a real desire for the opposition role]. Die Welt (in German). Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022. <a href="https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus236404199/CDU-Parteitag-Merz-trifft-den-richtigen-Ton-und-zeigt-geradezu-Lust-auf-die-Oppositionsrolle.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus236404199/CDU-Parteitag-Merz-trifft-den-richtigen-Ton-und-zeigt-geradezu-Lust-auf-die-Oppositionsrolle.html</a> <a href="#fnref:87" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:88">"Merz takes over as center-right opposition leader in Germany". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-elections-germany-national-elections-angela-merkel-34128eaaff5eac510ed59b522757e334" target="_blank">https://apnews.com/article/europe-elections-germany-national-elections-angela-merkel-34128eaaff5eac510ed59b522757e334</a> <a href="#fnref:88" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:89">"'Ich habe ein Versprechen gegeben, dass sich 2021 nicht wiederholen wird'" ['I made a promise that 2021 will not be repeated']. Der Spiegel. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidatur-der-union-friedrich-merz-und-markus-soeder-einigen-sich-auf-den-cdu-chef-a-1a96e850-3297-4cdf-8b8e-0842b9cf0c97" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidatur-der-union-friedrich-merz-und-markus-soeder-einigen-sich-auf-den-cdu-chef-a-1a96e850-3297-4cdf-8b8e-0842b9cf0c97</a> <a href="#fnref:89" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:90">Brodersen, Fanny; Gera, Vanessa (17 September 2024). "German opposition Christian Democrats tap leader Friedrich Merz as their candidate for chancellor". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-politics-christian-democratic-union-cf1033d27f82a0291e983f3c9a94fb97" target="_blank">https://apnews.com/article/germany-politics-christian-democratic-union-cf1033d27f82a0291e983f3c9a94fb97</a> <a href="#fnref:90" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:91">Briancon, Pierre (23 February 2025). "Merz's victory opens new era of German uncertainty". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/merzs-victory-opens-new-era-german-uncertainty-2025-02-23/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/merzs-victory-opens-new-era-german-uncertainty-2025-02-23/</a> <a href="#fnref:91" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:92">Geir Moulson (23 February 2025). "Conservative opposition wins German election and the far right is 2nd with strongest postwar result". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250224045601/https://apnews.com/article/germany-election-merz-scholz-far-right-afd-ebf16ed38e0beaff7fed9a6d29b32a24" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20250224045601/https://apnews.com/article/germany-election-merz-scholz-far-right-afd-ebf16ed38e0beaff7fed9a6d29b32a24</a> <a href="#fnref:92" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:93">Lunday, Chris (27 February 2025). "Germany's CDU and SPD to start coalition talks Friday". Politico Europe. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-election-coalition-talks-cdu-friedrich-merz-spd-lars-klingbeil/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-election-coalition-talks-cdu-friedrich-merz-spd-lars-klingbeil/</a> <a href="#fnref:93" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:94">"Merz confirms push for centrist coalition after German election win". Politico Europe. 24 February 2025. Archived from the original on 4 March 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-cdu-spd-confirms-push-for-cdu-spd-coalition-election-win/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-cdu-spd-confirms-push-for-cdu-spd-coalition-election-win/</a> <a href="#fnref:94" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:95">"Germany's Merz promises to do 'whatever it takes' on defence". BBC. 5 March 2025. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c981w25y5wpo" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c981w25y5wpo</a> <a href="#fnref:95" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:96">"CDU's Friedrich Merz secures billion-euro deal for Germany's military and infrastructure". Euronews. 5 March 2025. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. <a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/04/cdus-friedrich-merz-secures-billion-euro-deal-for-germanys-military-and-infrastructure" target="_blank">https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/04/cdus-friedrich-merz-secures-billion-euro-deal-for-germanys-military-and-infrastructure</a> <a href="#fnref:96" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:97">"'A risky bet': Friedrich Merz criticised over plan to lift Germany's debt rules". The Guardian. 5 March 2025. Archived from the original on 8 March 2025. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/05/a-risky-bet-friedrich-merz-criticised-over-plan-to-lift-germanys-debt-rules" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/05/a-risky-bet-friedrich-merz-criticised-over-plan-to-lift-germanys-debt-rules</a> <a href="#fnref:97" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:98">"€1 trillion impact: What easing debt brake means for Germany". DW News. 17 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/1-trillion-impact-what-easing-debt-brake-means-for-germany/a-71949959" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/en/1-trillion-impact-what-easing-debt-brake-means-for-germany/a-71949959</a> <a href="#fnref:98" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:99">"Germany Set for Trillion-Euro Defense and Infrastructure Splurge". The Wall Street Journal. 21 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/germany-set-for-trillion-euro-defense-and-infrastructure-splurge-3cce7723" target="_blank">https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/germany-set-for-trillion-euro-defense-and-infrastructure-splurge-3cce7723</a> <a href="#fnref:99" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:100">"How will Germany spend its €1 trillion loans?". DW News. 21 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/how-will-germany-spend-its-1-trillion-loans/a-71995478" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/en/how-will-germany-spend-its-1-trillion-loans/a-71995478</a> <a href="#fnref:100" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:101">"Germany: Parties agree on historic debt deal – DW – 03/14/2025". dw.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025. <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/germany-parties-agree-on-historic-debt-deal/a-71922888" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/en/germany-parties-agree-on-historic-debt-deal/a-71922888</a> <a href="#fnref:101" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:102">"Germany approves huge investments with Green Party backing". Deutsche Welle. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/germany-passes-huge-spending-package-with-green-party-backing/a-71960695" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/en/germany-passes-huge-spending-package-with-green-party-backing/a-71960695</a> <a href="#fnref:102" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:103">"German lawmakers approve huge defense and infrastructure spending". NPR. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/g-s1-54475/germany-defense-spending-merz-debt-brake-parliament" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/g-s1-54475/germany-defense-spending-merz-debt-brake-parliament</a> <a href="#fnref:103" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:104">"Germany's big spending splurge gives EU the jitters". Politico. 21 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germanys-friedrich-merz-radical-spending-election-berlin-green-energy-fund/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/germanys-friedrich-merz-radical-spending-election-berlin-green-energy-fund/</a> <a href="#fnref:104" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:105">Höltschi, René (5 March 2025). "«Whatever it takes»: So sieht das deutsche Milliardenpaket für Rüstung und Infrastruktur im Detail aus" [Whatever it takes”: This is what the German billion-dollar package for armaments and infrastructure looks like in detail]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025. <a href="https://www.nzz.ch/wirtschaft/finanzpaket-woher-die-milliarden-kommen-wohin-sie-gehen-ld.1873997" target="_blank">https://www.nzz.ch/wirtschaft/finanzpaket-woher-die-milliarden-kommen-wohin-sie-gehen-ld.1873997</a> <a href="#fnref:105" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:106">Höltschi, René (5 March 2025). "«Whatever it takes»: So sieht das deutsche Milliardenpaket für Rüstung und Infrastruktur im Detail aus" [Whatever it takes”: This is what the German billion-dollar package for armaments and infrastructure looks like in detail]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025. <a href="https://www.nzz.ch/wirtschaft/finanzpaket-woher-die-milliarden-kommen-wohin-sie-gehen-ld.1873997" target="_blank">https://www.nzz.ch/wirtschaft/finanzpaket-woher-die-milliarden-kommen-wohin-sie-gehen-ld.1873997</a> <a href="#fnref:106" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:107">"German parliament passes historic debt-backed defence and infrastructure package". Euractiv. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/german-parliament-passes-historic-debt-backed-defence-and-infrastructure-package/" target="_blank">https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/german-parliament-passes-historic-debt-backed-defence-and-infrastructure-package/</a> <a href="#fnref:107" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:108">"German lawmakers approve massive defense and infrastructure spending plans". Le Monde. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/18/german-lawmakers-approve-defense-and-infrastructure-spending-plans_6739287_4.html" target="_blank">https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/18/german-lawmakers-approve-defense-and-infrastructure-spending-plans_6739287_4.html</a> <a href="#fnref:108" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:109">Scherndl, Gabriele (20 March 2025). "Merz und Schuldenbremse: Falsche Wahlversprechen sind keine Wählertäuschung nach Strafgesetz (Merz and the debt brake: False election promises are not voter deception under criminal law)" (in German). Archived from the original on 5 April 2025. <a href="https://correctiv.org/faktencheck/2025/03/20/merz-und-schuldenbremse-falsche-wahlversprechen-sind-keine-waehlertaeuschung-nach-strafgesetz/" target="_blank">https://correctiv.org/faktencheck/2025/03/20/merz-und-schuldenbremse-falsche-wahlversprechen-sind-keine-waehlertaeuschung-nach-strafgesetz/</a> <a href="#fnref:109" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:110">"German parliament passes historic debt-backed defence and infrastructure package". Euractiv. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/german-parliament-passes-historic-debt-backed-defence-and-infrastructure-package/" target="_blank">https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/german-parliament-passes-historic-debt-backed-defence-and-infrastructure-package/</a> <a href="#fnref:110" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:111">"German lawmakers approve massive defense and infrastructure spending plans". Le Monde. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/18/german-lawmakers-approve-defense-and-infrastructure-spending-plans_6739287_4.html" target="_blank">https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/18/german-lawmakers-approve-defense-and-infrastructure-spending-plans_6739287_4.html</a> <a href="#fnref:111" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:112">"Germany OKs huge boost in defense spending as Europe gears up for new era". NBC News. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/germany-boost-defence-spending-europe-trump-rcna196904" target="_blank">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/germany-boost-defence-spending-europe-trump-rcna196904</a> <a href="#fnref:112" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:113">"Germany's parliament backs incoming leader's plans for huge boost in defense spending, but can he deliver?". CBS News. 21 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/germany-defense-spending-friedrich-merz-trump-pressure-nato-ukraine-russia-war/" target="_blank">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/germany-defense-spending-friedrich-merz-trump-pressure-nato-ukraine-russia-war/</a> <a href="#fnref:113" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:114">"Germany's parliament passes historic package boosting defence spending". Euronews. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. <a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/18/germanys-parliament-passes-historic-package-boosting-defence-spending" target="_blank">https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/18/germanys-parliament-passes-historic-package-boosting-defence-spending</a> <a href="#fnref:114" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:115">"German parliament passes historic spending reforms". Politico. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-parliament-spending-reforms-defense-military-infrastructure-friedrich-merz/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-parliament-spending-reforms-defense-military-infrastructure-friedrich-merz/</a> <a href="#fnref:115" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:116">"Fiscal 'bazooka' for defence, infrastructure approved by Germany MPs". France 24. 19 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250319-fiscal-bazooka-for-defence-infrastructure-approved-by-germany-mps" target="_blank">https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250319-fiscal-bazooka-for-defence-infrastructure-approved-by-germany-mps</a> <a href="#fnref:116" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:117">"Koalitionsvertrag: Schulterklopfen und harsche Kritik aus dem Norden". NDR (in German). Archived from the original on 10 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025. <a href="https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/Koalitionsvertrag-Schulterklopfen-und-harsche-Kritik-aus-dem-Norden,koalition998.html" target="_blank">https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/Koalitionsvertrag-Schulterklopfen-und-harsche-Kritik-aus-dem-Norden,koalition998.html</a> <a href="#fnref:117" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:118">"Spitzen von Union und SPD unterzeichnen Koalitionsvertrag". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 5 May 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/koalitionsvertrag-unterzeichnet-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/koalitionsvertrag-unterzeichnet-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:118" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:119">"SPD-Mitglieder stimmen für Koalition mit CDU und CSU". Tagesschau (in German). Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/spd-mitgliederentscheid-108.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/spd-mitgliederentscheid-108.html</a> <a href="#fnref:119" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:120">Kirby, Paul and Parker, Jessica (6 May 2025). "Germany's Merz becomes chancellor after surviving historic vote failure". BBC News. London and Berlin. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp22zlrgko" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp22zlrgko</a> <a href="#fnref:120" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:121">Kirby, Paul and Parker, Jessica (6 May 2025). "Merz elected German chancellor after initial shock defeat". Reuters. London. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/merz-elected-german-chancellor-after-initial-shock-defeat-2025-05-06/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/merz-elected-german-chancellor-after-initial-shock-defeat-2025-05-06/</a> <a href="#fnref:121" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:122">Angelos, James; Lunday, Chris; and Nöstlinger, Nette (6 May 2025). "Merz just lost the vote to be German chancellor. What next?". Politico. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/merz-just-lost-the-vote-to-be-german-chancellor-what-next/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/merz-just-lost-the-vote-to-be-german-chancellor-what-next/</a> <a href="#fnref:122" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:123">Kirby, Paul and Parker, Jessica (6 May 2025). "Germany's Merz becomes chancellor after surviving historic vote failure". BBC News. London and Berlin. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp22zlrgko" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp22zlrgko</a> <a href="#fnref:123" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:124">"Erste Beschlüsse im Kabinett: Bundesregierung hat Arbeit aufgenommen". tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/erste-kabinettssitzung-digitalministerium-102.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/erste-kabinettssitzung-digitalministerium-102.html</a> <a href="#fnref:124" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:125">"Merz's government decree gives German digital ministry extensive power". euronews. 7 May 2025. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/05/07/merzs-government-decree-gives-german-digital-ministry-extensive-powers" target="_blank">https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/05/07/merzs-government-decree-gives-german-digital-ministry-extensive-powers</a> <a href="#fnref:125" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:126">deutschlandfunk.de (7 May 2025). "Antrittsbesuch in Warschau - Bundeskanzler Merz und Ministerpräsident Tusk sprechen über bilaterale Beziehungen und europäische Migrationspolitik". Die Nachrichten (in German). Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bundeskanzler-merz-und-ministerpraesident-tusk-sprechen-ueber-bilaterale-beziehungen-und-europaeisch-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/bundeskanzler-merz-und-ministerpraesident-tusk-sprechen-ueber-bilaterale-beziehungen-und-europaeisch-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:126" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:127">Amt, Auswärtiges. "Europa im Herzen: Außenminister Wadephul zur Antrittsreise in Paris und Warschau". Auswärtiges Amt (in German). Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/europa/2717186-2717186" target="_blank">https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/europa/2717186-2717186</a> <a href="#fnref:127" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:128">"Merz will offenbar Netanjahu nach Deutschland einladen". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 29 May 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-einladung-netanjahu-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-einladung-netanjahu-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:128" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:129">Escritt, Thomas (31 October 2018). "Conservative contenders vie to overturn Merkel's centrism". Reuters. Archived from the original on 31 October 2018. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics/conservative-contenders-vie-to-overturn-merkels-centrism-idUSKCN1N51CT" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics/conservative-contenders-vie-to-overturn-merkels-centrism-idUSKCN1N51CT</a> <a href="#fnref:129" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:130">Peduto, Alessandro (15 February 2022). "Friedrich Merz im Klischee-Check: So konservativ ist er". Berliner Morgenpost (in German). Retrieved 15 May 2025. <a href="https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article401488220/friedrich-merz-cdu-union-fraktionschef-vorsitz.html" target="_blank">https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article401488220/friedrich-merz-cdu-union-fraktionschef-vorsitz.html</a> <a href="#fnref:130" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:131">Schmollack, Simone (21 November 2024). "Mit Friedrich Merz kommt eine neoliberale Wende" (in German). Deutschlandfunk Kultur. Retrieved 15 May 2025. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/kommentar-friedrich-merz-cdu-neoliberalismus-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/kommentar-friedrich-merz-cdu-neoliberalismus-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:131" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:132">"Friedrich Merz sieht Bekämpfung irregulärer Migration als wichtigste Aufgabe" [Friedrich Merz sees combating irregular migration as the most important task]. Der Spiegel (in German). dpa. 14 December 2024. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2025. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-merz-sieht-bekaempfung-irregulaerer-migration-als-wichtigste-aufgabe-a-b06c5bda-e0e3-4697-bba4-86b9b151f7c0" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-merz-sieht-bekaempfung-irregulaerer-migration-als-wichtigste-aufgabe-a-b06c5bda-e0e3-4697-bba4-86b9b151f7c0</a> <a href="#fnref:132" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:133">The right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution is a human right, as defined in article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations (UN).[119] Germany became a full member of the UN on 18 September 1973. Furthermore, article 16a of the German constitution states that politically persecuted persons have the right to asylum (Politisch Verfolgte genießen Asylrecht),[120] and as Chancellor of Germany, Merz has sworn to "uphold and defend the constitution" ("das Grundgesetz [...] wahren und verteidigen"),[121] as set out in article 56 of that same constitution,[122] just like Olaf Scholz, the previous Chancellor of Germany, had.[123] <a href="/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights" target="_blank">/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights</a> <a href="#fnref:133" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:134">Dettmer, Markus; Diekmann, Florian; Fiedler, Maria; Gebauer, Matthias; Hickmann, Christoph; Reiermann, Christian; Schaible, Jonas (17 November 2024). "(S+) Die Agenda des CDU-Chefs: Wie ein Kanzler Merz Deutschland verändern könnte" [(S+) The CDU leader's agenda: How a Chancellor Merz could change Germany]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-wie-ein-cdu-kanzler-deutschland-veraendern-koennte-a-d3a42cc4-e1c8-4667-b5ef-d157c81f1bc8" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-wie-ein-cdu-kanzler-deutschland-veraendern-koennte-a-d3a42cc4-e1c8-4667-b5ef-d157c81f1bc8</a> <a href="#fnref:134" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:135">"Migration: Experten halten Grenzschließung durch Notlage für möglich" [Migration: Experts believe border closure is possible due to emergency]. Tagesspiegel.de. 28 August 2024. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/migration-experten-halten-grenzschliessung-durch-notlage-fur-moglich-12271235.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/migration-experten-halten-grenzschliessung-durch-notlage-fur-moglich-12271235.html</a> <a href="#fnref:135" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:136">"Merz für Aufnahme von höchstens 100.000 Flüchtlingen pro Jahr" [Merz for the acceptance of a maximum of 100,000 refugees per year]. tagesschau.de (in German). 16 March 2024. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-fluechtlingszahlen-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-fluechtlingszahlen-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:136" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:137">"German election: CDU manifesto proposes rightward shift on migration and strong support for Ukraine". Euronews. 17 December 2024. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. <a href="https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/17/german-election-cdu-manifesto-proposes-rightward-shift-on-migration-and-strong-support-for" target="_blank">https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/17/german-election-cdu-manifesto-proposes-rightward-shift-on-migration-and-strong-support-for</a> <a href="#fnref:137" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:138">"Policies of German opposition chief and possible next chancellor Merz". Reuters. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/</a> <a href="#fnref:138" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:139">Jegić, Denijal (7 January 2024). "Why is Germany so viciously anti-Palestinian?". Al-Jazeera. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/1/7/why-is-germany-so-viciously-anti-palestinian" target="_blank">https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/1/7/why-is-germany-so-viciously-anti-palestinian</a> <a href="#fnref:139" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:140">"Merz fordert Syrien-Abschiebungen und Aufnahmestopp – 'nicht durchsetzbar und rechtswidrig'" [Merz calls for Syria deportations and admission freeze – 'unenforceable and illegal']. merkur.de (in German). 17 December 2024. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2025. <a href="https://www.merkur.de/politik/friedrich-merz-cdu-abschiebung-syrien-fluechtlinge-asyl-bundestagswahl-2025-zr-93472190.html" target="_blank">https://www.merkur.de/politik/friedrich-merz-cdu-abschiebung-syrien-fluechtlinge-asyl-bundestagswahl-2025-zr-93472190.html</a> <a href="#fnref:140" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:141">Belousova, Katja; Wolff, Kathrin (27 June 2024). "Einbürgerung: Schneller zum deutschen Pass - was jetzt gilt" [Naturalization: Faster access to a German passport - what applies now]. ZDFheute (in German). Archived from the original on 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025. <a href="https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/einbuergerung-deutschland-reform-staatsbuergerschaft-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/einbuergerung-deutschland-reform-staatsbuergerschaft-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:141" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:142">"Friedrich Merz: CDU-Chef will Ausbürgerung ermöglichen" [Friedrich Merz: CDU leader wants to enable denaturalization]. Der Spiegel (in German). 5 January 2025. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-ausbuergerung-ermoeglichen-a-d887cae0-8e6f-4f1f-ab5b-1de8da5efde7" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-ausbuergerung-ermoeglichen-a-d887cae0-8e6f-4f1f-ab5b-1de8da5efde7</a> <a href="#fnref:142" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:143">"Friedrich Merz: 'Aberkennung der deutschen Staatsbürgerschaft müsste dann möglich sein'" [Friedrich Merz: 'Revocation of German citizenship should then be possible']. Die Welt (in German). Archived from the original on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025. <a href="https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus255024542/Friedrich-Merz-Aberkennung-der-deutschen-Staatsbuergerschaft-muesste-dann-moeglich-sein.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus255024542/Friedrich-Merz-Aberkennung-der-deutschen-Staatsbuergerschaft-muesste-dann-moeglich-sein.html</a> <a href="#fnref:143" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:144">Delfs, Arne (23 January 2025). "Germany's Leading Candidate Calls for Permanent Border Checks". Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025. <a href="https://archive.today/20250123124103/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-23/germany-s-leading-candidate-calls-for-permanent-border-checks" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20250123124103/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-23/germany-s-leading-candidate-calls-for-permanent-border-checks</a> <a href="#fnref:144" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:145">Lunday, Chris (23 January 2025). "Merz vows migration crackdown on Day 1 as German chancellor". POLITICO. Retrieved 7 June 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-friedrich-merz-cdu-migration-crackdown-day-one-chancellor/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-friedrich-merz-cdu-migration-crackdown-day-one-chancellor/</a> <a href="#fnref:145" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:146">Roßmann, Robert (23 January 2025). "Nach Aschaffenburg - Merz über irreguläre Migration: 'Das Maß ist endgültig voll'" [To Aschaffenburg - Merz on irregular migration: 'The cup is finally full']. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merz-aschaffenburg-abschiebungen-fluechtlingspolitik-bundestagswahl-li.3188100?reduced=true" target="_blank">https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merz-aschaffenburg-abschiebungen-fluechtlingspolitik-bundestagswahl-li.3188100?reduced=true</a> <a href="#fnref:146" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:147">"Das Ende der "Brandmauer"? Merz' Asylpolitik und die AfD" [The end of the "firewall"? Merz's asylum policy and the AfD]. Deutschlandfunk (in German). 29 January 2025. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:147" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:148">"Das Ende der "Brandmauer"? Merz' Asylpolitik und die AfD" [The end of the "firewall"? Merz's asylum policy and the AfD]. Deutschlandfunk (in German). 29 January 2025. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:148" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:149">"Merz will als Kanzler »faktisches Einreiseverbot« für Illegale verhängen" [As Chancellor, Merz wants to impose a "de facto entry ban" for illegal immigrants]. Der Spiegel (in German). 23 January 2025. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-als-kanzler-faktisches-einreiseverbot-fuer-illegal-einreisende-verhaengen-a-46b54beb-2a47-4148-910b-2b024798f632" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-als-kanzler-faktisches-einreiseverbot-fuer-illegal-einreisende-verhaengen-a-46b54beb-2a47-4148-910b-2b024798f632</a> <a href="#fnref:149" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:150">"Wohlstand ohne Leistung ist eine Illusion" [Prosperity without performance is an illusion]. cdu.de. 18 March 2024. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024. <a href="https://www.cdu.de/artikel/wohlstand-ohne-leistung-ist-eine-illusion" target="_blank">https://www.cdu.de/artikel/wohlstand-ohne-leistung-ist-eine-illusion</a> <a href="#fnref:150" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:151">Glaser, Emeli (10 November 2024). "Änderungen beim Bürgergeld: Das kommt auf Empfänger zu, wenn Friedrich Merz Kanzler wird" [Changes to the Citizen's Allowance: This is what recipients will have to expect if Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor]. SÜDKURIER Online (in German). Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024. <a href="https://www.suedkurier.de/ueberregional/wirtschaft/geld-finanzen/aenderungen-beim-buergergeld-das-kommt-auf-empfaenger-zu-wenn-friedrich-merz-kanzler-wird-10-11-24;art1373668,12185953" target="_blank">https://www.suedkurier.de/ueberregional/wirtschaft/geld-finanzen/aenderungen-beim-buergergeld-das-kommt-auf-empfaenger-zu-wenn-friedrich-merz-kanzler-wird-10-11-24;art1373668,12185953</a> <a href="#fnref:151" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:152">"Die Neue Grundsicherung" [The New Basic Security Plan]. arbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de (in German). 9 April 2024. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024. <a href="https://arbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de/ueber-uns/nachrichten/++co++7d23dfb8-eac8-11ee-8ae0-c502a8b1e0e2" target="_blank">https://arbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de/ueber-uns/nachrichten/++co++7d23dfb8-eac8-11ee-8ae0-c502a8b1e0e2</a> <a href="#fnref:152" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:153">Dettmer, Markus; Diekmann, Florian; Fiedler, Maria; Gebauer, Matthias; Hickmann, Christoph; Reiermann, Christian; Schaible, Jonas (17 November 2024). "(S+) Die Agenda des CDU-Chefs: Wie ein Kanzler Merz Deutschland verändern könnte" [(S+) The CDU leader's agenda: How a Chancellor Merz could change Germany]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-wie-ein-cdu-kanzler-deutschland-veraendern-koennte-a-d3a42cc4-e1c8-4667-b5ef-d157c81f1bc8" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-wie-ein-cdu-kanzler-deutschland-veraendern-koennte-a-d3a42cc4-e1c8-4667-b5ef-d157c81f1bc8</a> <a href="#fnref:153" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:154">"Trump, Rente, Jobs: Friedrich Merz und sein Kanzlerplan" [Trump, pensions, jobs: Friedrich Merz and his chancellorship plans]. stern.de (in German). 10 November 2024. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024. <a href="https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-erklaert-seinen-kanzlerplan--trump--rente--jobs-35212552.html" target="_blank">https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-erklaert-seinen-kanzlerplan--trump--rente--jobs-35212552.html</a> <a href="#fnref:154" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:155">"Friedrich Merz: German conservative gunning to become chancellor". France 24. 16 December 2024. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024. <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241216-friedrich-merz-german-conservative-gunning-to-become-chancellor" target="_blank">https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241216-friedrich-merz-german-conservative-gunning-to-become-chancellor</a> <a href="#fnref:155" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:156">"Merkel nemesis Friedrich Merz aims to be German chancellor". dw.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024. <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/cdu-friedrich-merz-angela-merkel-rival-german-election-2025-chancellor-v2/a-70845544" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/en/cdu-friedrich-merz-angela-merkel-rival-german-election-2025-chancellor-v2/a-70845544</a> <a href="#fnref:156" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:157">Kampfner, John (26 December 2024). "This Really Isn't Angela Merkel's Center Right Anymore". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024. <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/" target="_blank">https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/</a> <a href="#fnref:157" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:158">Connolly, Kate (10 December 2024). "Who is Friedrich Merz, the pilot politician tipped to be German chancellor?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/who-is-friedrich-merz-germany-next-chancellor-scholz-merkel" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/who-is-friedrich-merz-germany-next-chancellor-scholz-merkel</a> <a href="#fnref:158" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:159">Kampfner, John (26 December 2024). "This Really Isn't Angela Merkel's Center Right Anymore". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024. <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/" target="_blank">https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/</a> <a href="#fnref:159" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:160">"Friedrich Merz: Germany's Christian Democratic Union leader who flirted with far right". BBC News. 9 February 2025. Archived from the original on 9 February 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxnzkyw7n1o" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxnzkyw7n1o</a> <a href="#fnref:160" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:161">"Wer ist Friedrich Merz? Merkels Nachfolger für den CDU-Parteivorsitz" [Who is Friedrich Merz? Merkel's successor for the CDU party chairmanship]. blick.ch. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. <a href="https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/wird-er-merkels-nachfolger-friedrich-merz-kandidiert-fuer-den-cdu-parteivorsitz-id9051960.html" target="_blank">https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/wird-er-merkels-nachfolger-friedrich-merz-kandidiert-fuer-den-cdu-parteivorsitz-id9051960.html</a> <a href="#fnref:161" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:162">"Merz will CDU-Chef werden: 'Wir brauchen Aufbruch und Erneuerung, keinen Umsturz'" [Merz wants to become CDU leader: 'We need a new beginning and renewal, not a coup']. Die Welt (in German). 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. <a href="https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article183054050/Merz-will-CDU-Chef-werden-Wir-brauchen-Aufbruch-und-Erneuerung-keinen-Umsturz.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article183054050/Merz-will-CDU-Chef-werden-Wir-brauchen-Aufbruch-und-Erneuerung-keinen-Umsturz.html</a> <a href="#fnref:162" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:163">"Time to wake up: We are deeply concerned about the future of Europe and Germany". Handelsblatt. Archived from the original on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123542/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/opinion/time-to-wake-up-we-are-deeply-concerned-about-the-future-of-europe-and-germany/23583722.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123542/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/opinion/time-to-wake-up-we-are-deeply-concerned-about-the-future-of-europe-and-germany/23583722.html</a> <a href="#fnref:163" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:164">Andreas Rinke (31 March 2023). "Germany's main opposition leader calls for European coalition on China ties". Reuters. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-main-opposition-leader-calls-european-coalition-china-ties-2023-03-31/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-main-opposition-leader-calls-european-coalition-china-ties-2023-03-31/</a> <a href="#fnref:164" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:165">"Will Merz's tough talk on China fizzle out if he becomes leader of Germany?". South China Morning Post. 6 January 2025. Archived from the original on 6 January 2025. <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3292397/will-merzs-tough-talk-china-fizzle-out-if-he-becomes-leader-germany" target="_blank">https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3292397/will-merzs-tough-talk-china-fizzle-out-if-he-becomes-leader-germany</a> <a href="#fnref:165" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:166">"Policies of German opposition chief and possible next chancellor Merz". Reuters. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/</a> <a href="#fnref:166" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:167">"Merz considers extension of French, British nuclear umbrella to Germany". Euractiv. 21 February 2025. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/merz-considers-extension-of-french-british-nuclear-umbrella-to-germany/" target="_blank">https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/merz-considers-extension-of-french-british-nuclear-umbrella-to-germany/</a> <a href="#fnref:167" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:168">"Europe should brace for Trump to end NATO protection, Germany's Merz warns". Politico. 21 February 2025. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-brace-us-trump-end-nato-germany-friedrich-merz-election/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-brace-us-trump-end-nato-germany-friedrich-merz-election/</a> <a href="#fnref:168" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:169">"Finanzpaket von Union und SPD - Lob von Rutte und von der Leyen" [Financial package from the CDU/CSU and SPD - praise from Rutte and von der Leyen]. deutschlandfunk.de (in German). 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/lob-von-rutte-und-von-der-leyen-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/lob-von-rutte-und-von-der-leyen-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:169" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:170">"Friedrich Merz: Who is Germany's election winner and how will he fare against AfD leader Alice Weidel?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-election-merz-chancellor-weidel-who-cdu-b2703412.html" target="_blank">https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-election-merz-chancellor-weidel-who-cdu-b2703412.html</a> <a href="#fnref:170" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:171">Angelos, James (23 February 2025). "Europe's most powerful leader as US turns its back". Politico. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/german-election-results-2025-friedrich-merz-next-chancellor-historic-question-europe-without-us-support/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/german-election-results-2025-friedrich-merz-next-chancellor-historic-question-europe-without-us-support/</a> <a href="#fnref:171" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:172">"New German leader signals seismic shift in transatlantic relations". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv4n0dg3v3o" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv4n0dg3v3o</a> <a href="#fnref:172" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:173">Bershidsky, Leonid (1 November 2018). "Merkel's Would-Be Successor Is a Real Conservative". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-11-01/merkel-s-would-be-successor-merz-is-a-real-german-conservative" target="_blank">https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-11-01/merkel-s-would-be-successor-merz-is-a-real-german-conservative</a> <a href="#fnref:173" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:174">"Merz würde 'Taurus' liefern - aber 'nicht einfach so'" [Merz would deliver 'Taurus' to Ukraine - but 'not just like that!']. tagesschau.de (in German). 14 October 2024. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-taurus-miosga-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-taurus-miosga-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:174" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:175">"Trump, Rente, Jobs: Friedrich Merz und sein Kanzlerplan" [Trump, pensions, jobs: Friedrich Merz and his chancellorship plans]. stern.de (in German). 10 November 2024. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024. <a href="https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-erklaert-seinen-kanzlerplan--trump--rente--jobs-35212552.html" target="_blank">https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-erklaert-seinen-kanzlerplan--trump--rente--jobs-35212552.html</a> <a href="#fnref:175" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:176">"CDU-Chef Merz im Interview: 'Wir brauchen eine große Kraftanstrengung'" [CDU leader Merz in an interview: 'We need a major effort']. tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:176" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:177">"Germany's Merz vows 'independence' from Trump's America, warning NATO may soon be dead". 24 February 2025. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-germany-election-united-states-donald-trump-nato/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-germany-election-united-states-donald-trump-nato/</a> <a href="#fnref:177" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:178">"After Germany's Right-Wing Gains in Elections, New Conservative Leader Vows to 'Achieve Independence' From U.S. Under Trump's Rule". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://variety.com/2025/global/news/germany-us-friedrich-merz-trump-berlinale-1236318647/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2025/global/news/germany-us-friedrich-merz-trump-berlinale-1236318647/</a> <a href="#fnref:178" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:179">"Germany's Merz calls for 'independence' from US as conservatives win vote". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/24/germanys-merz-calls-for-independence-from-us-as-conservatives-win-vote" target="_blank">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/24/germanys-merz-calls-for-independence-from-us-as-conservatives-win-vote</a> <a href="#fnref:179" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:180">DWS News (16 May 2025). German Chancellor Merz Speaks at EPC Summit: Europe's Future | DWS News | AC1I. Retrieved 16 May 2025 – via YouTube. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnybPrqhnrs" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnybPrqhnrs</a> <a href="#fnref:180" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:181">Von der Burchard, Hans (6 May 2022). "Merz on the march: German opposition chief plays Ukraine card before elections". Politico. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-opposition-leader-friedrich-merz-attacks-government-from-the-sleeping-coach-ukraine/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-opposition-leader-friedrich-merz-attacks-government-from-the-sleeping-coach-ukraine/</a> <a href="#fnref:181" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:182">"Taurus-Lieferung abgelehnt: Merz kritisiert Scholz 'Zeitenwende'" [Taurus delivery rejected: Merz criticizes Scholz's 'turning point']. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 22 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/taurus-lieferung-abgelehnt-merz-kritisiert-scholz-zeitenwende-19537190.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/taurus-lieferung-abgelehnt-merz-kritisiert-scholz-zeitenwende-19537190.html</a> <a href="#fnref:182" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:183">"Merz würde 'Taurus' liefern - aber 'nicht einfach so'" [Merz would deliver 'Taurus' to Ukraine - but 'not just like that!']. tagesschau.de (in German). 14 October 2024. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-taurus-miosga-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-taurus-miosga-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:183" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:184">"Merz zur Ukraine: 'Der Weg in die NATO ist unumkehrbar'" [Merz on Ukraine: "The path to NATO is irreversible")]. tagesschau.de (in German). 9 December 2024. Archived from the original on 9 December 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/merz-tagesthemen-ukraine-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/merz-tagesthemen-ukraine-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:184" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:185">Lunday, Chris (28 May 2025). "Germany and Ukraine sign €5B deal on long-range weapons cooperation". Politico. Retrieved 28 May 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-ukraine-sign-deal-long-range-weapons-cooperation/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-ukraine-sign-deal-long-range-weapons-cooperation/</a> <a href="#fnref:185" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:186">Angelos, James; Nöstlinger, Nette (28 May 2025). "Germany's Merz under fire over 'contradictory' remarks on long-range weapons for Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved 28 May 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-ukraine-friedrich-merz-war-russia/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-ukraine-friedrich-merz-war-russia/</a> <a href="#fnref:186" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:187">"Merz says he will find a way for Netanyahu to visit Germany without being arrested". Reuters. 24 February 2025. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/election-winner-merz-invites-netanyahu-germany-says-israelis-office-2025-02-24/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/election-winner-merz-invites-netanyahu-germany-says-israelis-office-2025-02-24/</a> <a href="#fnref:187" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:188">"Germany and Israel after the Bundestag election: Will realpolitik replace illusions? - analysis". The Jerusalem Post. 22 February 2025. Archived from the original on 6 March 2025. <a href="https://www.jpost.com/international/article-843277" target="_blank">https://www.jpost.com/international/article-843277</a> <a href="#fnref:188" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:189">K.d.ö.R, Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland (6 May 2025). "Merz: «Israel macht uns allergrößte Sorgen»". Jüdische Allgemeine (in German). Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/israel/merz-israel-macht-uns-allergroesste-sorgen/" target="_blank">https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/israel/merz-israel-macht-uns-allergroesste-sorgen/</a> <a href="#fnref:189" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:190">"Merz im ARD-Brennpunkt: "Es ist ein ehrlicher Tag gewesen"". tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-klingbeil-brennpunkt-kanzlerwahl-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-klingbeil-brennpunkt-kanzlerwahl-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:190" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:191">"CDU-Chef Merz verlangt klare Botschaft von Kanzler Scholz an Präsident Erdogan" [War in the MidEast - Merz: Germany will not be able to play a mediating role]. Deutschlandfunk (in German). 11 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2024. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/interview-merz-friedrich-cdu-bundesvors-vors-der-unions-bundestagsfraktion-dlf-d43e9dcb-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/interview-merz-friedrich-cdu-bundesvors-vors-der-unions-bundestagsfraktion-dlf-d43e9dcb-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:191" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:192">Lilienström, Sven (21 April 2024). "Friedrich Merz, Vorsitzender der CDU Deutschlands" [Friedrich Merz, Chairman of the CDU Germany]. Gesichter der Demokratie (in German). Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024. <a href="https://www.faces-of-democracy.org/friedrich-merz/" target="_blank">https://www.faces-of-democracy.org/friedrich-merz/</a> <a href="#fnref:192" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:193">"CDU-Chef Merz verlangt klare Botschaft von Kanzler Scholz an Präsident Erdogan" [War in the MidEast - Merz: Germany will not be able to play a mediating role]. Deutschlandfunk (in German). 11 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2024. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/interview-merz-friedrich-cdu-bundesvors-vors-der-unions-bundestagsfraktion-dlf-d43e9dcb-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/interview-merz-friedrich-cdu-bundesvors-vors-der-unions-bundestagsfraktion-dlf-d43e9dcb-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:193" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:194">"Streit um Israel: Merz erzwingt Waffen-Zusicherung von Scholz" [Disputes over Israel: Merz forces weapons assurance from Scholz]. Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). 11 October 2024. Archived from the original on 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024. <a href="https://www.fr.de/politik/streit-um-israel-merz-erzwingt-waffen-zusicherung-von-scholz-zr-93348379.html" target="_blank">https://www.fr.de/politik/streit-um-israel-merz-erzwingt-waffen-zusicherung-von-scholz-zr-93348379.html</a> <a href="#fnref:194" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:195">Alkousaa, Riham (11 October 2024). "Germany will send more weapons to Israel soon, Scholz says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-will-send-more-weapons-israel-soon-scholz-says-2024-10-10/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-will-send-more-weapons-israel-soon-scholz-says-2024-10-10/</a> <a href="#fnref:195" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:196">"Germany's Next Government Could Be Even Worse on Palestine". Jacobin. 27 February 2025. Archived from the original on 30 March 2025. <a href="https://jacobin.com/2025/02/germany-palestine-merz-antisemitism-repression" target="_blank">https://jacobin.com/2025/02/germany-palestine-merz-antisemitism-repression</a> <a href="#fnref:196" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:197">"Germany's next government could make it easier to strip citizenship from dual nationals". The Local. 27 March 2025. Archived from the original on 2 April 2025. <a href="https://www.thelocal.de/20250327/germanys-next-government-could-make-it-easier-to-strip-citizenship-from-dual-nationals" target="_blank">https://www.thelocal.de/20250327/germanys-next-government-could-make-it-easier-to-strip-citizenship-from-dual-nationals</a> <a href="#fnref:197" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:198">Basay, Erbil (10 December 2024). "Merz für mehr Zusammenarbeit: 'Türkei ist gestärkt und wird noch größere Rolle spielen'" [Merz for more cooperation: "Törkye (Turkey) is strengthened and will play an even greater role"]. DTJ Online (in German). Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025. <a href="https://dtj-online.de/merz-fuer-mehr-zusammenarbeit-tuerkei-ist-gestaerkt-und-wird-noch-groessere-rolle-spielen/" target="_blank">https://dtj-online.de/merz-fuer-mehr-zusammenarbeit-tuerkei-ist-gestaerkt-und-wird-noch-groessere-rolle-spielen/</a> <a href="#fnref:198" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:199">"German opposition leader calls for closer cooperation with Türkiye to secure Middle East peace". Anadolu Agency. 10 December 2024. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-opposition-leader-calls-for-closer-cooperation-with-turkiye-to-secure-middle-east-peace/3419639" target="_blank">https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-opposition-leader-calls-for-closer-cooperation-with-turkiye-to-secure-middle-east-peace/3419639</a> <a href="#fnref:199" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:200">"Policies of German opposition chief and possible next chancellor Merz". Reuters. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/</a> <a href="#fnref:200" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:201">"Merz says Netanyahu will be able to visit Germany despite ICC warrant". Al Jazeera. 24 February 2025. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/24/merz-says-netanyahu-will-be-able-to-visit-germany-despite-icc-warrant" target="_blank">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/24/merz-says-netanyahu-will-be-able-to-visit-germany-despite-icc-warrant</a> <a href="#fnref:201" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:202">"Merz will offenbar Netanjahu nach Deutschland einladen" [Merz apparently wants to invite Netanyahu to Germany]. tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-einladung-netanjahu-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-einladung-netanjahu-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:202" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:203">"Merz invites Netanyahu to Germany despite ICC arrest warrant". DW News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025. <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/merz-invites-netanyahu-to-germany-despite-icc-arrest-warrant/a-71788069" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/en/merz-invites-netanyahu-to-germany-despite-icc-arrest-warrant/a-71788069</a> <a href="#fnref:203" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:204">"German Chancellor Merz questions Israel's strategy in Gaza". Euronews. 26 May 2025. <a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/05/26/german-chancellor-merz-questions-israels-strategy-in-gaza" target="_blank">https://www.euronews.com/2025/05/26/german-chancellor-merz-questions-israels-strategy-in-gaza</a> <a href="#fnref:204" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:205">"German Chancellor: "The goal must remain that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons"". Ynetnews. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025. <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/article/lndy34vio" target="_blank">https://www.ynetnews.com/article/lndy34vio</a> <a href="#fnref:205" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:206">"Germany's Merz says Israel is doing the 'dirty work for all of us' by countering Iran". The Times of Israel. 17 June 2025. <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/germanys-merz-says-israel-is-doing-the-dirty-work-for-all-of-us-by-countering-iran/" target="_blank">https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/germanys-merz-says-israel-is-doing-the-dirty-work-for-all-of-us-by-countering-iran/</a> <a href="#fnref:206" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:207">"Germany's Merz sees no reason to criticise Israeli, US attacks on Iran". Reuters. 23 June 2025. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germanys-merz-sees-no-reason-criticise-israeli-us-attacks-iran-2025-06-23/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germanys-merz-sees-no-reason-criticise-israeli-us-attacks-iran-2025-06-23/</a> <a href="#fnref:207" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:208">"Germany's chancellor-in-waiting backtracks on nuclear". Euractiv. 17 January 2025. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/germanys-chancellor-in-waiting-backtracks-on-nuclear/" target="_blank">https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/germanys-chancellor-in-waiting-backtracks-on-nuclear/</a> <a href="#fnref:208" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:209">"CDU-Chef Merz: Nehmen Klimaschutz 'sehr ernst'" [CDU leader Merz: Take climate protection "very seriously"]. Die Zeit. 27 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023. <a href="https://www.zeit.de/news/2023-04/27/cdu-chef-merz-nehmen-klimaschutz-sehr-ernst" target="_blank">https://www.zeit.de/news/2023-04/27/cdu-chef-merz-nehmen-klimaschutz-sehr-ernst</a> <a href="#fnref:209" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:210">"Merz sieht Klimaschutz in Politik überbewertet: 'Es ist eben nicht so, dass morgen die Welt untergeht'" [Merz sees climate protection overrated in politics: 'It's not the case that the world will end tomorrow']. Der Tagesspiegel. 26 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023. <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/merz-sieht-klimaschutz-in-politik-uberbewertet-es-ist-eben-nicht-so-dass-morgen-die-welt-untergeht-9725627.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/merz-sieht-klimaschutz-in-politik-uberbewertet-es-ist-eben-nicht-so-dass-morgen-die-welt-untergeht-9725627.html</a> <a href="#fnref:210" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:211">@CDU (13 February 2023). ".@_FriedrichMerz zum geplanten EU-Verbot von #Verbrennungsmotoren: Wir wollen das Ziel der CO2-Neutralität technologieoffen erreichen – nicht mit Verboten. Auch nicht mit dem Verbot des Verbrennungsmotors" [We want to achieve the goal of CO2 neutrality in a technology-neutral way – not with bans. Not even with a ban on the combustion engines.] (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 June 2024 – via Twitter. <a href="https://x.com/CDU/status/1625142054597668864" target="_blank">https://x.com/CDU/status/1625142054597668864</a> <a href="#fnref:211" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:212">"Policies of German opposition chief and possible next chancellor Merz". Reuters. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/</a> <a href="#fnref:212" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:213">"Meet the conservative German trio that could rule Europe". Euractiv. 17 January 2025. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/meet-the-conservative-german-trio-that-could-rule-europe/" target="_blank">https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/meet-the-conservative-german-trio-that-could-rule-europe/</a> <a href="#fnref:213" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:214">"Merz bezeichnet AfD als 'offen nationalsozialistisch'" [Merz describes AfD as 'openly Nazis']. Tagesspiegel. 12 November 2018. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2020. <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/cdu-politiker-merz-bezeichnet-afd-als-offen-nationalsozialistisch/23622712.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/cdu-politiker-merz-bezeichnet-afd-als-offen-nationalsozialistisch/23622712.html</a> <a href="#fnref:214" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:215">lau (7 July 2019). "Merz: 'Ich hätte auch längst im Bundestag einen AfD-Vizepräsidenten gewählt'" [Merz: 'I would have elected an AfD vice president in the Bundestag long ago']. Focus Online. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2020. <a href="https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/haette-laengst-afd-vizepraesidenten-gewaehlt-merz-fordert-unaufgeregteren-umgang-mit-afd_id_10903897.html" target="_blank">https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/haette-laengst-afd-vizepraesidenten-gewaehlt-merz-fordert-unaufgeregteren-umgang-mit-afd_id_10903897.html</a> <a href="#fnref:215" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:216">lau (7 July 2019). "Merz: 'Ich hätte auch längst im Bundestag einen AfD-Vizepräsidenten gewählt'" [Merz: 'I would have elected an AfD vice president in the Bundestag long ago']. Focus Online. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2020. <a href="https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/haette-laengst-afd-vizepraesidenten-gewaehlt-merz-fordert-unaufgeregteren-umgang-mit-afd_id_10903897.html" target="_blank">https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/haette-laengst-afd-vizepraesidenten-gewaehlt-merz-fordert-unaufgeregteren-umgang-mit-afd_id_10903897.html</a> <a href="#fnref:216" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:217">Veit Medick (23 December 2021), "CDU: Friedrich Merz geht auf Angela Merkel zu und will Brandmauer Richtung AfD" [CDU: Friedrich Merz approaches Angela Merkel and wants to build a firewall towards the AfD], Der Spiegel, ISSN 2195-1349, archived from the original on 12 November 2024, retrieved 4 September 2024 <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-geht-auf-angela-merkel-zu-a-86dd9f24-51b1-4df8-b509-923bfca2e2fb" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-geht-auf-angela-merkel-zu-a-86dd9f24-51b1-4df8-b509-923bfca2e2fb</a> <a href="#fnref:217" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:218">"Merz für pragmatischen Umgang mit AfD in Kommunen" [Merz calls for pragmatic approach to AfD in municipalities]. Tagesschau. 23 July 2023. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2023. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-afd-kommunen-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-afd-kommunen-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:218" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:219">"ZDF-Sommerinterview mit Friedrich Merz" [ZDF Summer Interview with Friedrich Merz] (in German). Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023. <a href="https://www.zdf.de/uri/969c7ae8-be44-4fe7-8661-9fdf5b26d713" target="_blank">https://www.zdf.de/uri/969c7ae8-be44-4fe7-8661-9fdf5b26d713</a> <a href="#fnref:219" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:220">Oltermann, Philip (24 July 2023). "German centre-right leader says he is willing to work with far-right AfD at local level". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level</a> <a href="#fnref:220" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:221">"Breite Kritik an Merz-Äußerungen zur AfD aus eigener Partei" [Widespread criticism of Merz's comments on the AfD from within his own party]. Der Spiegel. 24 July 2023. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-breite-kritik-aeusserungen-von-friedrich-merz-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-bfcdac8d-4285-4256-825a-16f0bfeffb13" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-breite-kritik-aeusserungen-von-friedrich-merz-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-bfcdac8d-4285-4256-825a-16f0bfeffb13</a> <a href="#fnref:221" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:222">Oltermann, Philip (24 July 2023). "German centre-right leader says he is willing to work with far-right AfD at local level". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level</a> <a href="#fnref:222" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:223">"Sachsens CDU-Ministerpräsident: Kretschmer wirbt für »pragmatischen Umgang« mit der AfD" [Saxony's CDU Minister-President: Kretschmer advocates "pragmatic approach" to the AfD], Der Spiegel, 25 July 2023, ISSN 2195-1349, archived from the original on 11 November 2024, retrieved 25 July 2023 <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-und-afd-michael-kretschmer-wirbt-fuer-pragmatischen-umgang-mit-der-rechtspartei-a-5a478c15-9677-4d2c-9ea1-e912f51f9058" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-und-afd-michael-kretschmer-wirbt-fuer-pragmatischen-umgang-mit-der-rechtspartei-a-5a478c15-9677-4d2c-9ea1-e912f51f9058</a> <a href="#fnref:223" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:224">"'Wir können so nicht weitermachen': Ist die Ampelregierung schuld an starker AfD?" ["We can't go on like this": Is the traffic light government to blame for the strong AfD?]. t-online (in German). 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2025. <a href="https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/innenpolitik/id_100196392/friedrich-merz-fuer-starke-afd-ist-die-ampel-verantwortlich.html" target="_blank">https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/innenpolitik/id_100196392/friedrich-merz-fuer-starke-afd-ist-die-ampel-verantwortlich.html</a> <a href="#fnref:224" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:225">"Merz und seine Brandmauer: Wie halbiert man die AfD?" [Merz and his firewall: How to halve the AfD?]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 17 June 2023. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2025. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/merz-und-seine-brandmauer-wie-halbiert-man-die-afd-18969309.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/merz-und-seine-brandmauer-wie-halbiert-man-die-afd-18969309.html</a> <a href="#fnref:225" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:226">"Plötzlich kleinlaut: Merz nimmt Versprechen zur Halbierung der AfD zurück" [Suddenly subdued: Merz retracts promise to halve AfD!]. merkur.de (in German). 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2025. <a href="https://www.merkur.de/politik/cdu-union-chef-merz-versprechen-halbierung-afd-umfragen-bundestagswahl-92360082.html" target="_blank">https://www.merkur.de/politik/cdu-union-chef-merz-versprechen-halbierung-afd-umfragen-bundestagswahl-92360082.html</a> <a href="#fnref:226" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:227">"CDU-Chef Merz im Interview: 'Wir brauchen eine große Kraftanstrengung'" [CDU leader Merz in an interview: 'We need a major effort']. tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:227" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:228">"Merz verteidigt Abstimmung über Unionsantrag zur Migration" [Merz defends vote on Union motion on migration]. tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/interview-merz-migration-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/interview-merz-migration-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:228" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:229">"Merz schließt Zusammenarbeit mit AfD bei Unionsregierung aus" [Merz rules out cooperation with AfD in Union government]. Jüdische Allgemeine (in German). 2 February 2025. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025. <a href="https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/politik/merz-schliesst-zusammenarbeit-mit-afd-erneut-aus/" target="_blank">https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/politik/merz-schliesst-zusammenarbeit-mit-afd-erneut-aus/</a> <a href="#fnref:229" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:230">"CDU-Chef Merz im Interview: 'Wir brauchen eine große Kraftanstrengung'" [CDU leader Merz in an interview: 'We need a major effort']. tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:230" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:231">"Das Ende der "Brandmauer"? Merz' Asylpolitik und die AfD" [The end of the "firewall"? Merz's asylum policy and the AfD]. Deutschlandfunk (in German). 29 January 2025. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:231" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:232">Halasz, Gabor. "Bundestag zur Asylpolitik: Ein Tabubruch mit Ansage" [Bundestag on asylum policy: A taboo break with announcement]. tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-debatte-migration-102.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-debatte-migration-102.html</a> <a href="#fnref:232" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:233">Ruhnow, Evelin (31 January 2025). "Friedrich Merz: Sammlung seiner Aussagen zur Zusammenarbeit mit der AfD" [Mr. Friedrich Merz: Collection of his statements on cooperation with the AfD]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2025. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-sammlung-seiner-aussagen-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-52810f3c-6fbf-4668-82bf-22792883333f" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-sammlung-seiner-aussagen-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-52810f3c-6fbf-4668-82bf-22792883333f</a> <a href="#fnref:233" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:234">Dunz, Kristina (31 January 2025). "Schämt Euch!" [SHAME ON YOU!!]. www.rnd.de (in German). Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2025. <a href="https://www.rnd.de/politik/schaemt-euch-merz-bricht-versprechen-migrationspolitik-und-afd-mehrheit-im-bundestag-6R7DCX4UMJCHHATHNQLDIR57OQ.html" target="_blank">https://www.rnd.de/politik/schaemt-euch-merz-bricht-versprechen-migrationspolitik-und-afd-mehrheit-im-bundestag-6R7DCX4UMJCHHATHNQLDIR57OQ.html</a> <a href="#fnref:234" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:235">"Merz verteidigt Abstimmung über Unionsantrag zur Migration" [Merz defends vote on Union motion on migration]. tagesschau.de (in German). Archived from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/interview-merz-migration-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/interview-merz-migration-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:235" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:236">"Merz' Gesetz ist gescheitert" [Merz's law has failed]. Die Tageszeitung: Taz (in German). 31 January 2025. Archived from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025. <a href="https://taz.de/-Bundestagsdebatte-im-Live-Ticker-/!6066358&s=brandmauer%2Bcdu%2Bafd/" target="_blank">https://taz.de/-Bundestagsdebatte-im-Live-Ticker-/!6066358&s=brandmauer%2Bcdu%2Bafd/</a> <a href="#fnref:236" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:237">"Merz's far-right gamble backfires". Politico Europe. 31 January 2025. Archived from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-germany-gamble-to-accept-far-right-support-fails-in-parliament-afd-cdu-migration/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-germany-gamble-to-accept-far-right-support-fails-in-parliament-afd-cdu-migration/</a> <a href="#fnref:237" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:238">"German parliament rejects migration bill, dealing blow to election frontrunner". Reuters. 31 January 2025. Archived from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/far-right-could-enable-law-first-time-modern-german-history-2025-01-31/" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/far-right-could-enable-law-first-time-modern-german-history-2025-01-31/</a> <a href="#fnref:238" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:239">"Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz stuft die "Alternative für Deutschland" als gesichert rechtsextremistische Bestrebung ein" [Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the Alternative for Germany as a confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor]. verfassungsschutz.de (in German). 2 May 2025. Archived from the original on 2 May 2025. <a href="https://www.verfassungsschutz.de/SharedDocs/pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/pressemitteilung-2025-05-02.html" target="_blank">https://www.verfassungsschutz.de/SharedDocs/pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/pressemitteilung-2025-05-02.html</a> <a href="#fnref:239" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:240">Lunday, Chris (2 May 2025). "The AfD is a right-wing extremist group, German intelligence agency says The classification opens the door to deeper surveillance — and reignites a debate over whether the far-right party should be banned". Politico Europe. Archived from the original on 5 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025. <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/afd-officially-right-wing-extremist-group-germanys-intel-agency-says/" target="_blank">https://www.politico.eu/article/afd-officially-right-wing-extremist-group-germanys-intel-agency-says/</a> <a href="#fnref:240" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:241">deutschlandfunk.de (7 May 2025). "Neue Bundesregierung - Merz gibt sich bei AfD-Verbot zurückhaltend". Die Nachrichten (in German). Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025. <a href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-gibt-sich-bei-afd-verbot-zurueckhaltend-100.html" target="_blank">https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-gibt-sich-bei-afd-verbot-zurueckhaltend-100.html</a> <a href="#fnref:241" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:242">"Merz und seine 18 Nebentätigkeiten" [Merz and his 18 secondary activities]. welt.de (in German). 10 October 2006. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html</a> <a href="#fnref:242" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:243">"Mehrfachverdiener: Die Kläger gegen das Transparenzgesetz" [Multiple earners: The plaintiffs against the Transparency Act]. Der Spiegel. 11 October 2006. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/mehrfachverdiener-die-klaeger-gegen-das-transparenzgesetz-fotostrecke-16685.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/mehrfachverdiener-die-klaeger-gegen-das-transparenzgesetz-fotostrecke-16685.html</a> <a href="#fnref:243" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:244">"Nebeneinkünfte offengelegt: Merz und Riesenhuber gehören zu den Großverdienern" [Additional income disclosed: Merz and Riesenhuber are among the top earners]. rp-online.de. 6 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2021. <a href="https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-und-riesenhuber-gehoeren-zu-den-grossverdienern_aid-11187415" target="_blank">https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-und-riesenhuber-gehoeren-zu-den-grossverdienern_aid-11187415</a> <a href="#fnref:244" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:245">"Von Axa bis Stadler Rail: Friedrich Merz' Nebeneinkünfte" [From Axa to Stadler Rail: Friedrich Merz's additional income]. Der Spiegel. 11 July 2007. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/von-axa-bis-stadler-rail-friedrich-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-fotostrecke-23104.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/von-axa-bis-stadler-rail-friedrich-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-fotostrecke-23104.html</a> <a href="#fnref:245" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:246">"Von Axa bis Stadler, Die Nebeneinkünfte des Friedrich Merz" [From Axa to Stadler, The additional income of Friedrich Merz]. manager-magazin.de. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2021. <a href="https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-493053.html" target="_blank">https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-493053.html</a> <a href="#fnref:246" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:247">"Von Axa bis Stadler Rail: Friedrich Merz' Nebeneinkünfte" [From Axa to Stadler Rail: Friedrich Merz's additional income]. Der Spiegel. 11 July 2007. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/von-axa-bis-stadler-rail-friedrich-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-fotostrecke-23104.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/von-axa-bis-stadler-rail-friedrich-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-fotostrecke-23104.html</a> <a href="#fnref:247" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:248">"Friedrich Merz – Fragen und Antworten" [Friedrich Merz – Q&As]. abgeordnetenwatch.de (in German). 18 January 2009. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.abgeordnetenwatch.de/profile/friedrich-merz/fragen-antworten?parliament_period=67&answered=All&page=2" target="_blank">https://www.abgeordnetenwatch.de/profile/friedrich-merz/fragen-antworten?parliament_period=67&answered=All&page=2</a> <a href="#fnref:248" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:249">"Brief an die Basis: Das schreibt Friedrich Merz seinen Wählern" [Letter to the base: This is what Friedrich Merz writes to his voters]. welt.de (in German). 14 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.welt.de/politik/article1025572/Das-schreibt-Friedrich-Merz-seinen-Waehlern.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/politik/article1025572/Das-schreibt-Friedrich-Merz-seinen-Waehlern.html</a> <a href="#fnref:249" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:250">RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (19 March 2021). "Friedrich Merz will bei Wahl in Bundestag keine Nebentätigkeiten ausüben" [Friedrich Merz does not want to take up any secondary activities if elected to the Bundestag] (in German). Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.rnd.de/politik/friedrich-merz-will-bei-wahl-in-bundestag-keine-nebentatigkeiten-ausuben-EB4SDRR7NVAFS2Y35LI77B2OAM.html" target="_blank">https://www.rnd.de/politik/friedrich-merz-will-bei-wahl-in-bundestag-keine-nebentatigkeiten-ausuben-EB4SDRR7NVAFS2Y35LI77B2OAM.html</a> <a href="#fnref:250" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:251">"Merz und seine 18 Nebentätigkeiten" [Merz and his 18 secondary activities]. welt.de (in German). 10 October 2006. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html</a> <a href="#fnref:251" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:252">Fiedler, Maria (18 February 2020). "Was Friedrich Merz früher forderte – und wie er abstimmte" [What Friedrich Merz demanded in the past – and how he voted?]. Tagesspiegel. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2023. <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/altlasten-des-cdu-politikers-was-friedrich-merz-frueher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte/25555560.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/altlasten-des-cdu-politikers-was-friedrich-merz-frueher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte/25555560.html</a> <a href="#fnref:252" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:253">"Merz und seine 18 Nebentätigkeiten" [Merz and his 18 secondary activities]. welt.de (in German). 10 October 2006. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html</a> <a href="#fnref:253" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:254">"Merz und seine 18 Nebentätigkeiten" [Merz and his 18 secondary activities]. welt.de (in German). 10 October 2006. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024. <a href="https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html" target="_blank">https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html</a> <a href="#fnref:254" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:255">BVerfG (4 July 2007). "Klage der Abgeordneten gegen Offenlegung von Einkünften erfolglos – Pressemitteilung zum Urteil vom 4. Juli 2007 (2 BvE 1/06)" [Lawsuit by MPs against disclosure of income unsuccessful – press release on the judgment of 4 July 2007 (2 BvE 1/06)]. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2020. <a href="https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2007/bvg07-073.html" target="_blank">https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2007/bvg07-073.html</a> <a href="#fnref:255" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:256">Kistenfeger, Hartmut (4 July 2007). "Volle Breitseite gegen Starjurist Merz" [Full broadside against star lawyer Merz]. FOCUS Online. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2012. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210903202516/https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/volle-breitseite-gegen-starjurist-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-urteil_id_2224564.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20210903202516/https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/volle-breitseite-gegen-starjurist-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-urteil_id_2224564.html</a> <a href="#fnref:256" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:257">"Friedrich Merz: 'Heute verdiene ich rund eine Million Euro'" [Friedrich Merz: "Today I earn around a million euros"]. Die Zeit (in German). 18 November 2018. ISSN 0044-2070. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024. <a href="https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen" target="_blank">https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen</a> <a href="#fnref:257" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:258">Böcking, David; Hesse, Martin (15 November 2018). "Friedrich Merz. Warum er nicht zur Mittelschicht gehört" [Friedrich Merz. Why does he not belong to the middle class?]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024. <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/friedrich-merz-warum-er-nicht-zur-mittelschicht-gehoert-a-1238635.html" target="_blank">https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/friedrich-merz-warum-er-nicht-zur-mittelschicht-gehoert-a-1238635.html</a> <a href="#fnref:258" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:259">"Friedrich Merz: 'Heute verdiene ich rund eine Million Euro'" [Friedrich Merz: "Today I earn around a million euros"]. Die Zeit (in German). 18 November 2018. ISSN 0044-2070. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024. <a href="https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen" target="_blank">https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen</a> <a href="#fnref:259" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:260">"Friedrich Merz: Der Millionär aus der 'gehobenen Mittelschicht'" [Friedrich Merz: The millionaire from the 'upper middle class']. Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). 15 November 2018. ISSN 1865-2263. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024. <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/der-millionar-aus-der-gehobenen-mittelschicht-8433718.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/der-millionar-aus-der-gehobenen-mittelschicht-8433718.html</a> <a href="#fnref:260" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:261">"Willkommen auf Echo Delta Kilo Oscar" [Welcome to Echo Delta Kilo Oscar]. DerWesten (in German). 13 June 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024. <a href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/article4757312/willkommen-auf-echo-delta-kilo-oscar.html" target="_blank">https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/article4757312/willkommen-auf-echo-delta-kilo-oscar.html</a> <a href="#fnref:261" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:262">"Hat Friedrich Merz wirklich zwei Flugzeuge?" [Does Friedrich Merz really have two planes?]. stern.de (in German). 28 November 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. <a href="https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/hat-friedrich-merz-wirklich-zwei-flugzeuge--8467946.html" target="_blank">https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/hat-friedrich-merz-wirklich-zwei-flugzeuge--8467946.html</a> <a href="#fnref:262" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:263">"Friedrich Merz: 'Heute verdiene ich rund eine Million Euro'" [Friedrich Merz: "Today I earn around a million euros"]. Die Zeit (in German). 18 November 2018. ISSN 0044-2070. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024. <a href="https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen" target="_blank">https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen</a> <a href="#fnref:263" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:264">"Altlasten des CDU-Politikers". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025. <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/was-friedrich-merz-fruher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte-6603298.html" target="_blank">https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/was-friedrich-merz-fruher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte-6603298.html</a> <a href="#fnref:264" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:265">"Wallstreet Online: Merz hält Einführung der Ehe für alle for richtig" [Wallstreet Online: Merz believes the introduction of marriage for all is right] (in German). 8 December 2018. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. <a href="https://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/11013733-friedrich-merz-merz-haelt-einfuehrung-ehe-alle-richtig" target="_blank">https://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/11013733-friedrich-merz-merz-haelt-einfuehrung-ehe-alle-richtig</a> <a href="#fnref:265" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:266">"Potential German chancellor slammed for homosexuality remark". Deutsche Welle. 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2024. <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-leadership-hopeful-slammed-for-comments-on-homosexuality/a-55008417" target="_blank">https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-leadership-hopeful-slammed-for-comments-on-homosexuality/a-55008417</a> <a href="#fnref:266" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:267">Kampfner, John (26 December 2024). "This Really Isn't Angela Merkel's Center Right Anymore". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024. <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/" target="_blank">https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/</a> <a href="#fnref:267" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:268">"Senate". Deutsche Nationalstiftung. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. <a href="http://www.nationalstiftung.de/gremien" target="_blank">http://www.nationalstiftung.de/gremien</a> <a href="#fnref:268" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:269">"Members of the Jury" [Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe]. Wirtschaftliche Gesellschaft für Westfalen und Lippe. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. <a href="https://www.wirtschaftliche-gesellschaft.de/int-preis-des-westfaelischen-friedens/jury/" target="_blank">https://www.wirtschaftliche-gesellschaft.de/int-preis-des-westfaelischen-friedens/jury/</a> <a href="#fnref:269" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:270">"2004 Annual Report" (PDF). KfW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141847/https://www.kfw.de/Download-Center/Finanzpublikationen/Financial-publications-PDFs/1_Gesch%C3%A4ftsberichte-E/Gesch%C3%A4ftsbericht_2004_E.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141847/https://www.kfw.de/Download-Center/Finanzpublikationen/Financial-publications-PDFs/1_Gesch%C3%A4ftsberichte-E/Gesch%C3%A4ftsbericht_2004_E.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:270" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:271">"Gerichtsvorstellung: Das Amtsgericht Arnsberg stellt sich vor" [Court presentation: The Arnsberg District Court introduces itself]. Amtsgericht Arnsberg. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2023. <a href="https://www.ag-arnsberg.nrw.de/behoerde/gerichtsvorstellung/index.php" target="_blank">https://www.ag-arnsberg.nrw.de/behoerde/gerichtsvorstellung/index.php</a> <a href="#fnref:271" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:272">Achim Gieseke (2 July 2016). "Mit großer Liebe zum Beruf" [With great love for the profession]. Westfalenpost. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2018. <a href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/arnsberg/mit-grosser-liebe-zum-beruf-id11966866.html" target="_blank">https://www.wp.de/staedte/arnsberg/mit-grosser-liebe-zum-beruf-id11966866.html</a> <a href="#fnref:272" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:273">Aris, Ben (18 August 2004). "Schröder adopts Russian orphan". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/aug/18/germany.russia" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/aug/18/germany.russia</a> <a href="#fnref:273" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:274">Escritt, Thomas. "Who is Friedrich Merz? Meet the conservative leader taking the reins of the German chancellery". USA Today. Archived from the original on 8 March 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/02/23/germany-election-who-friedrich-merz/79860012007/" target="_blank">https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/02/23/germany-election-who-friedrich-merz/79860012007/</a> <a href="#fnref:274" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:275">Forster, Jonas (6 May 2025). "Friedrich Merz Kinder: Das ist über die Familie des Politikers bekannt". DerWesten.de (in German). Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025. <a href="https://www.derwesten.de/politik/friedrich-merz-kinder-sohn-philippe-tochter-constanze-carola-id301529180.html" target="_blank">https://www.derwesten.de/politik/friedrich-merz-kinder-sohn-philippe-tochter-constanze-carola-id301529180.html</a> <a href="#fnref:275" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:276">Korte, Martin (9 April 2025). "Friedrich Merz privat: Frau, Familie, Kinder – Infos zum CDU-Chef". www.morgenpost.de (in German). Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025. <a href="https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article407281982/friedrich-merz-privat-charlotte-familie-kinder.html" target="_blank">https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article407281982/friedrich-merz-privat-charlotte-familie-kinder.html</a> <a href="#fnref:276" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:277">"Friedrich und Charlotte Merz Stiftung". Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. <a href="https://www.merz-stiftung.de/home/" target="_blank">https://www.merz-stiftung.de/home/</a> <a href="#fnref:277" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:278">"Friedrich Merz, Senior Counsel". Mayer Brown. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. <a href="https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/people/m/merz-friedrich?tab=overview" target="_blank">https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/people/m/merz-friedrich?tab=overview</a> <a href="#fnref:278" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:279">Plickert, Philip (16 July 2018). "Ärger für die Ludwig-Erhard-Stiftung" [Troubles for the Ludwig Erhard Foundation]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/aerger-fuer-die-ludwig-erhard-stiftung-15694317.html" target="_blank">https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/aerger-fuer-die-ludwig-erhard-stiftung-15694317.html</a> <a href="#fnref:279" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Friedrich Merz open-in-new

Friedrich Merz