Merkel's potential dethronement by Meuthen: The current status in the morning politics - Merkel's Successor in the Spotlight: Is It Merz?
By Yannik Schüller* ~ 5 Min**
Welcome to the G7 stage, Merz!
With the federal eagle touching Canadian soil, the brand-new chancellor Friedrich Merz steps onto the international stage—his first G7 summit. The question is: Can he perform a diplomatic waltz as expertly as he did during his previous stint in Washington?
Quietly skillful or bold and brash like Merkel seven years back? Merz may embrace the latter's tactic, using unpredictable Trump's volatile moods to his advantage.
If Merz can carefully dance through this diplomatic minefield, he might just have the chance to create a memorable moment. One that could coin him as a potential leader of the free world—unlike the previous officeholder.
G7 Elite Gathering in Picturesque Settings
Our esteemed European leaders will come together for the first working session (approximately 6:30 PM German time). Scheduled topics include Iran/Israel, making a common agreement an uphill battle. With Trump relying heavily on Putin—his kindred spirit—how will these radically estranged leaders achieve unity without compromising their values and interests?
The G7, once a mighty force, now resembles the Rolling Stones of world politics—living on faded laurels, past their prime, yet stubbornly refusing to acknowledge it. A self-proclaimed lead singer is pursuing a solo career. Perhaps it's time for a reboot.
Miscellaneous Musings: ZDF and Katja Ebstein
What conjures up images of Germany for you? Roast pork and dumplings? Tennis-socked feet in sandals? Radio craters in the countryside?
For me, the ZDF Fernsehgarten is the epitome of bad taste. I'd rather endure clapping spectators out-of-rhythm for an eternity than spend another minute watching this mind-numbing show.
Surprisingly, I spotted some millennials in the audience during the last broadcast. Were they seeking refuge or had they stumbled into this entertainment abyss willingly?
The problematic performance by singer Katja Ebstein stirred up some sentiment among viewers. With a backing track and an aging vocal range, Ebstein raised eyebrows. However, I'll leave any criticism of Schlager music and Eurovision performances to those more qualified to judge.
Statistics and Concern
Recently, I wrote for morgen|stern that I felt increasingly unsafe in my hometown of Cologne. Knife attacks at German train stations rose in 2024, with 609 incidents recorded—even excluding underground stations.
Taking the Stage Today
As the previous week, the news remains surprisingly scant—but stay tuned for potential surprises.
The UN climate conference starts in Bonn, with more than 5,000 participants expected, including experts and politicians from around the world.
The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran persists, with both sides continuing to exchange fire. We'll keep you updated on our live blog as always.
Scottish authorities reportedly view fans of the British rock band Oasis as "overweight and rowdy." Singer Liam Gallagher naturally blew his top at such an unwarranted description.
Thoughts from Seoul
I've been reporting from South Korea for more than two weeks, and my craving for German cuisine is stronger than ever. Despite being away, I eagerly anticipate my return to delicious Thai food—mainly due to its practical eating utensils (the fork).
In a world where forks and spoons exist, it continues to baffle me why chopsticks are still in use. Despite multiple attempts at mastering the Asian culinary art, my hand refuses to fully adapt, and I end up struggling in frustration. But rest assured, if aesthetics are the primary concern, I'll stick with scissors for cutting meat!
Friedrich Merz | G7 Summit | Rolling Stones | ZDF | Katja Ebstein | Angela Merkel | Iran | Israel | European Politics | Migration | EU alliance | Coalition Politics | World Politics | Liam Gallagher
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, especially in light of the political dance and general-news gathering at the G7 summit.
As the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran persists, and the UN climate conference starts, it is crucial for European leaders, including Friedrich Merz, to take a proactive stance on environmental protection and pursue diplomatic solutions for international issues, particularly Iran/Israel.
