Friedrich Merz
other
Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz is a German politician, who has served as Chancellor of Germany since 6 May 2025. He has also served as Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since January 2022, leading the CDU/CSU (Union) parliamentary group as Leader of the Opposition in the Bundestag from February 2022 to May 2025.
Standing...
Stories...
Oct 9, 2026
Center
The German Chancellor hosted Andy Burnham in Berlin for a new UK-Germany cyber defence partnership.
Renaissance views Merz as a reliable centre-right partner in Berlin, and the Franco-German axis remains the core of Macron's European sovereignty agenda.
Oct 6, 2026
Center
Joined Macron in announcing a joint Franco-German legal mechanism for rapid EU trade retaliation.
Merz is the key partner for Renaissance's EU industrial policy agenda, but his presence also highlights how much of Macron's European credibility now depends on Berlin's willingness to co-lead.
Oct 6, 2026
Lean Right
German Chancellor visited Kyiv during Russian attacks; Berlin spy chief warns of NATO-Russia war risk.
Right-leaning realists argue Europe needs to spend more on defense and stop freeloading off American taxpayers.
Oct 5, 2026
Lean Right
German Chancellor made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and pledged continued support as a drone attacked a bridge during his visit.
LR reads Merz's trip as a reminder that France must not waver on Ukraine aid while Macron's diplomacy is under scrutiny.
Oct 5, 2026
Center
Germany's chancellor visited Kyiv on a surprise trip as Russia struck a bridge in the Ukrainian capital.
Pragmatists see Merz signaling European staying power in Ukraine, but the timing under Russian fire raises questions about whether pledges translate into delivered aid.
Oct 5, 2026
Center
The German Chancellor made an unannounced visit to Kyiv as Russia stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a strike on Kyiv's North bridge.
Renaissance sees Merz as the embodiment of the Franco-German pro-Ukraine axis that Macron has championed, though his leadership style contrasts with Macron's diplomatic approach.
Oct 5, 2026
Lean Left
The German chancellor made an unannounced visit to Kyiv as a drone struck a bridge in the Ukrainian capital amid intensified Russian attacks.
Socialistes see his solidarity visit as the kind of clear pro-Ukraine leadership they want from French leaders, contrasting sharply with the ambiguity of parts of the French right and far right.
Oct 5, 2026
Lean Left
The German Chancellor visited Kyiv as Putin's forces attacked the city.
Labour will welcome Merz's solidarity with Ukraine and use it to pressure the Tories to match Germany's defence commitments.
Oct 5, 2026
Far Left
The German chancellor made an unannounced visit to Kyiv as Russia continued strikes on Ukraine's capital.
The radical left criticises continued arms shipments and escalatory Western visits, arguing they prolong the war rather than push for a negotiated peace.
Oct 5, 2026
Far Left
The German chancellor visited Kyiv to reiterate support for Ukraine and warn that Russia could attack NATO.
The far left views Merz's NATO maximalism as escalation that prolongs the war, and is deeply split on whether supporting Ukrainian resistance against Russian invasion is anti-imperialist or NATO cheerleading.