A special day for the Chancellor and a political birthday with a lot of Berlin realpolitik. Friedrich Merz turns 70. While he is celebrated in the parliamentary group, arguments about pensions, military service and citizens’ benefits await him. Gordon Repinski looks at the Chancellor’s Day and formulates five political wishes for the new year.
In the 200-second interview, Roland Koch, former Prime Minister of Hesse and companion, talks about friendship, patience and leadership. He explains why Merz needs stability, how difficult the coalition really is to lead and why the Chancellor is already convincing internationally, but domestically the conviction is still a long time coming.
Afterwards we go to Brussels and Strasbourg with Hans von der Burchard. The European Parliament is facing a power problem there. The old majority of Christian and Social Democrats is crumbling. Right-wing factions are gaining influence and endangering central laws such as the planned reduction in bureaucracy. A topic that also affects and annoys the Chancellor.
You can find the ruler episode about Friedrich Merz herer and that Friday special with Georg Mascolo and Katja Gloger here.
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Author: Gordon Repinski
Published on: 2025-11-11 09:26:00
Source: www.politico.eu
