Friedrich Merz

Trump attributes state election win of AfD to Gemany's 'horrible' immigration policies

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany party of advocating anti-migration policies that were tantamount to "ethnic cleansing" during an address to the German parliament.

|ByREUTERS
US President Donald Trump holds his fist up after disembarking from Air Force One upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on September 7, 2026.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026

Merz says Germany needs reform, defends democratic order after historic election defeat against AfD

"That is what we need to deliver on now; it is what I want to deliver on, and that is the stance I am taking into talks with our coalition partner," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

|ByREUTERS
Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party co-leader Alice Weidel attends a press conference the day after the Saxony-Anhalt state elections in Berlin, Germany September 7, 2026.

Far-right AfD's Weidel targets 40% in next German federal election after state victory

"My stated goal is to significantly widen the gap in a very short time and grow to at least 40% for the next federal election," said Weidel.

|ByREUTERS
Top candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Ulrich Siegmund, stands at the polling station after voting in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, in Tangermuende, Germany, September 6, 2026.

Germany’s far-right AfD wins historic 44% in Saxony-Anhalt election, exit polls show

While short of an overall majority, the AfD won 44% of the vote and delivered a drubbing to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives, reflecting the deep unpopularity of Germany's ruling coalition.

|ByREUTERS

German halt to arms support to Israel is a blunder - opinion

The announcement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz was met with swift backlash from Jewish organizations.

AUGUST 12, 2025ByPAUSHALI LASS
THE ANNOUNCEMENT by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to suspend arms deliveries to Israel has unleashed quite a storm at home, says the writer.

Germany prepares huge orders for jets, armored vehicles, sources say

The purchases are part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to build Europe’s most powerful conventional army, aiming to reduce reliance on an increasingly unpredictable ally, the United States.

JULY 30, 2025ByREUTERS
Norway's Air Force F-16 fighters (R) and Italy's Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighters patrol over the Baltics during a NATO air policing mission from Zokniai air base near Siauliai, Lithuania, May 20, 2015.

Germany's Merz spoke with Trump about buying Patriots for Ukraine

Merz initiated the call with Trump to promote arms deliveries to Ukraine, particularly Patriots, after the Pentagon paused some shipments.

JULY 4, 2025ByREUTERS
Soldiers stand during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit to a military training area to find out about the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the “Patriot” anti-aircraft missile system, at an undisclosed location, in Germany, June 11, 2024.

Germany is '100% behind Israel,' minister vows at site of Iranian strike on Bat Yam

Dobrindt visited the site with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, where he said there is no justification for attacks on civilian populations.

JUNE 29, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar visit the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage in Bat Yam, central Israel. June 29, 2025.

Israel does the dirty work – and Europe fires back with sanctions - opinion

While Israel is fighting a war for its survival, Europe is distracting it on two levels - on the leadership level and on the people's level.

JUNE 24, 2025ByGOL KALEV
ON DAY ONE, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled Israel’s operation in Iran ‘concerning,’ characterized it as an escalation, and urged ‘all parties to step back and reduce tensions,’ the writer notes.

Germany's Merz sees no reason to criticize Israeli, US attacks on Iran

"There is no reason for us to criticize what Israel started a week ago, nor is there any reason to criticize what America did last weekend," Merz said. NATO's Rutte defended the US's attack as well.

JUNE 23, 2025ByREUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during an industrial sector association BDI event in Berlin, Germany, June 23, 2025.

Germany's Merz urges moderation in call with Netanyahu, source says

Germany plans to host nuclear talks with its European partners and the Iranian foreign minister at its permanent representation in Geneva.

JUNE 19, 2025ByREUTERS
Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hosts then-German Leader of the Opposition, Friedrich Merz, (L) in Jerusalem, February 12, 2024.

Merz: 'Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us by striking Iran, lacks necessary weapons'

German Chancellor Merz has praised Israel for doing the 'dirty work' for everyone, but said that Israel also lacked the necessary weapons.

JUNE 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz attends a press conference following the German general election in Berlin, Germany, February 24, 2025.