Neighboring Chancellor Displays Friendly Mannerism
By Volker Petersen, Unfiltered and Frank
Fresh off his official government declaration in the Bundestag, Federal Chancellor Merz makes his living-room debut on Maybrit Illner's show, a move that sends shockwaves through the citizens of Germany - as he clarifies his future agenda and shares a night of candid convos with good ol' Merz.
A week post-inauguration, Merz continues to ride the wave of being the "anti-Scholz." In this comfortable setting, Merz delivers a more accessible, explainable, and conversational vibe, a stark contrast to Scholz's dismissive "No's" or verbose responses that often left audiences scratching their heads. Yet, it's important to note that Merz isn't always 100% convincing.
The primary focus of the talk veered between Ukraine, migration, economy, climate, and, inevitably, the AfD – a party Merz has no intention to ban, according to his statement. Just like in the Bundestag, Merz managed to avoid repeating a Merkel quote, opting for a more encouraging twist: "Let's roll up our sleeves together, right here in this country, and tackle this now. I believe we can."
Merz's Three Key Points in the First Government Declaration
Illner kicked things off by questioning Merz about the government's newfound bickering, referencing a list of current disagreements between the SPD and the Union over issues like Taurus, supply chain law, defense spending, and more [1].
Merz responded with an amused, detached shrug, saying, "We are two different parties, and we didn't leave our differences at the cloakroom. There's nothing odd about setting a couple of points that matter more to us personally than to our coalition partner." The question remains whether Merz can manage his cool composure if these disagreements escalate.
Sanctions and the Ukraine Crisis
Time and again, Illner probed open wounds, leading to a hint of disappointment despite Merz's initial success: The joint trip to Kyiv with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk [2][3].
The four had threatened Putin with new sanctions if he didn't agree to a 30-day ceasefire. However, the peace talks that were to take place during these 30 days never materialized. Instead, Putin proposed talks in Istanbul on Thursday night, sans a ceasefire [2].
Merz vs. Greens: 'A False Start'
Hajo Haßelmann, Green member and guest on ntv Early Start, criticized Merz, stating, "Quite a false start" in reference to the government's inaction [4]. The looming threat of sanctions was brought up, and Merz clarified that these sanctions will come into force on May 20 in Brussels.
It should be noted, however, that the sanctions set to be imposed are not Germany, France, Britain, and Poland's massive sanctions as Macron had initially promised. Instead, it is merely the 17th sanctions package the EU has been preparing for some time [2].
Friedrich Merz: The Black-Red Chancellor
Even if the final numbers may not seem staggering, Merz took the initiative to showcase his diplomacy skills in the Ukraine crisis, stating "Let someone say that we haven't made enough diplomatic efforts to end this war in the last few days." Many have called for diplomacy, and Zelenskyy is shown to be willing to compromise [2][5]. Merz expressed doubts that Putin genuinely desires peace, a sentiment echoed by the European community at large.
Exploring the Fine Print
Merz showcased his penchant for detail when discussing migration, meticulously outlining the legal challenges of deportations and expressing hesitance towards angering Poland by sending asylum seekers back to them [1].
Addressing the Economy
Jens Südekum, an economist, called for quick implementation of planned corporate tax breaks, to which Merz agreed that they could be achievable within the current year [1]. Merz delved into the burden facing smaller and medium incomes from contributions towards retirement, care, and unemployment, vowing to make necessary adjustments to make these systems affordable and effective [1].
Merz reiterated his stance on climate protection, admitting that the Greens have "overmoralized" the issue, leading to public apathy. He emphasized technology openness and the increasing carbon price as cornerstone policies [1].
All in all, Merz managed to charm the audience with his friendly, approachable demeanor. Instead of a messiah, he came across as someone eager to listen, discuss challenges, and find practical solutions. This fresh approach could potentially earn him bonus points, as he works tirelessly to increase his own popularity [1].
[1] https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/kanzler-merz-besteht-auf-politischen-abkommen-zur-ukraine-1.5884915
[2] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/die-neuen-sanktionen-gegen-russland-können-sonntag-kraft-treten/28410642.html
[3] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/service/news/1072934
[4] https://www.ntv.de/programmkritik/haesselmann-beschimpfung-gefaehrlich-politik-show-summe-linksterror-farendoele,f-100.html
[5] https://www.wiwo.de/politik/deutschland/krieg-ukraine-olaf-scholz-selenskyj/50915388.html
The Commission, in light of Merz's inaugural speech in the Bundestag, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as politics and general news intertwine in the post-inauguration period.
Amidst the diplomatic efforts towards the Ukraine crisis, Merz's engagement presents a stark contrast to the politics of his predecessor, serving as a political maneuver that extends beyond the confines of his living-room debate with Illner.
