Exposing the Deception: The Phony Website Falsely Attributing Plans to Friedrich Merz and the Coalition
Conservative Party (CDU) objecting to fraudulent website linked to Friedrich Merz - CDU counteracts fraudulent site associated with Friedrich Merz
In a shady attempt to tarnish the reputation of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the government coalition, a bogus website has reared its head. The site, "friedrich-merz-cdu.de", purports to publish excerpts from the coalition agreement, but it's nothing more than a hoax.
The Deception:
The website propagates promises from the coalition agreement concerning new social housing, refugee benefits, and Arabic street signs.
Given the Verdict:
These claims are baseless and unfounded. The website is fabricated and does not hold any connection to the CDU.
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Facts:
The website, while convincingly similar, is, nevertheless, a phony creation. An imitation of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) graces the page, presenting contents from the coalition agreement. Despite numerous biographical details about Friedrich Merz aligning with reality, the site is a forgery. CDU spokesperson Isabelle Fischer has confirmed this after an inquiry by the German Press Agency. She adds, "We are in contact with the responsible authorities and will file a criminal complaint."
Interestingly, the official member page for Friedrich Merz on the German Bundestag lists the authentic website: "www.friedrich-merz.de." The address slightly differs from the fake one. Another official CDU site with Merz in the name ("merz.cdu.de") redirects to the party homepage.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has likewise confirmed that the official website of Friedrich Merz has been copied, and misleading content concerning migration policy initiatives has been published under the fake address. The BMI notes "content overlaps" with previous disinformation campaigns during the 2025 federal election campaign.
The BMI links this deception to efforts by primarily pro-Russian actors to sway public opinion in Germany since the onset of the war in Ukraine. The identity of the culprits behind the current fake website remains a mystery.
The Bogus Site Spreads Misinformation About the Coalition Agreement:
The fake website alleges that the new federal government aims to increase cash benefits for newly arriving war refugees from Ukraine to 2,161 euros per month for singles from May 1, 2025. Furthermore, plans for "300,000 social housing units for foreign skilled workers and asylum seekers" and all street, warning, and information signs translating to Arabic are supposedly in the works.
A search within the coalition agreement fails to uncover these initiatives. The figures "2,161 euros," "300,000 social housing units," and the words "Arabic" and "signs" do not appear within the agreement.
Official Website of Friedrich Merz: Other official CDU site related to Merz German Bundestag about Friedrich Merz
- Friedrich Merz
- CDU
- Fact Check
- Coalition Agreement
- Website
- BMI
- Bundestag
- Berlin
- CSU
- SPD
[1] Reuters Report on the investigation of the fake website[2] Bild Report on the widespread sharing of the fake website[3] Süddeutsche Zeitung Report on the origins of the fake website
- The bogus website "friedrich-merz-cdu.de" has been exposed as a deceptive attempt to harm the reputation of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the government coalition.
- Despite claims about new social housing, refugee benefits, and Arabic street signs on the website, these promises are baseless and have no connection to the CDU.
- The official website of Friedrich Merz is www.friedrich-merz.de, which contrasts with the fake website. Another CDU site related to Merz, merz.cdu.de, redirects to the party homepage.
- Spokesperson for the CDU, Isabelle Fischer, has confirmed that the fake website is a forgery, with an inquiry by the German Press Agency.
- The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has also confirmed that the official website of Friedrich Merz has been copied, and misleading content concerning migration policy initiatives has been published under the fake address, linking this deception to pro-Russian actors.
