Hangin' with Merz: The Cozy Chancellor Next Door
The Amiable Neighboring Chancellor's Actions
By Volker Petersen
The new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, makes his way to Maybrit Illner's show after his government declaration, bringing his political aspirations into the homes of Germans. The evening is successful, but not without a fair share of surprises.
A week into his term, Merz enjoys the advantage of not being his predecessor, Olaf Scholz. On Illner's popular talk show, the new Chancellor presents himself as welcoming, eager to clarify, and understandable, setting himself apart from Scholz, known for dismissing uncomfortable questions. However, this doesn't mean Merz always has a watertight argument.
Illner delves into the government declaration, point by point, rushing through topics like Ukraine, migration, economy, climate, and the inevitable AfD, which Merz has no intention of banning. Similar to his performance in the Bundestag, he avoids repeating a Merkel quote, saying, "Let's roll up our sleeves together and tackle this. I believe we can."
The Political Big Kahuna: The Essential Points of Merz's Speech
Illner begins by questioning if the new government squabbles like the old one, and reads a list of current news about Taurus, supply chain law, defense spending, and more, where there's little agreement between SPD and Union. Merz responds with a relaxed, detached expression, stating, "We are two distinct parties, and we didn't leave our differences at the coat rack." He further elucidates, "It's normal at the beginning of a government to prioritize points crucial to one party over the other."
The Musical Sanctions: A Tune for Ukraine
The host repeatedly probes sensitive issues, resulting in mild disappointment in an otherwise triumphant first step: the joint trip to Kyiv with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. They had threatened Putin with new sanctions if he didn't agree to a 30-day ceasefire. Instead, Putin offered talks in Istanbul that same evening, without a ceasefire.
The threat of sanctions is extended. As Merz reiterates, they have been decided and will come into force on the 20th of May in Brussels. However, he clarifies that what's coming into force isn't specific German sanctions, but the 17th EU sanctions package, which was already set in motion. The Europeans and Americans had planned "massive sanctions," as Macron had mentioned.
The Skill of Discernment: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff
Merz demonstrates his sharp discernment skills regarding migration, stating that no one who has entered Germany will be sent back. We will simply not let anyone in, he clarified. He also acknowledges the legal challenges of deportations and the potential backlash of sending people back to Poland.
The Symphony of the Economy: Tune Up the Finance Department
When discussing the economy, financial expert Jens Suedekum is invited on stage, urging quick implementation of the planned corporate tax breaks. Merz concedes they should be possible this year. He spends more time discussing contributions for pensions, care, and unemployment, which burden smaller and medium incomes more than taxes. Corrections must be made to keep the social insurance systems affordable and effective, he muses, admitting he hasn't found a solution yet.
Climate Control: Turning up the Heat
Climate protection takes a back seat in the discussion, with Merz insinuating that if he'd gone by polls, he wouldn't have addressed it anymore. He suggests that the Greens have "moralized" the issue too much, causing people to turn away from it. In response, he offers the buzzword of technological openness and a rising carbon price.
Merz benefits from having the stage to himself, as he addresses questions leisurely. He has an enjoyable evening, seeming understandable and eager to find practical solutions to the myriad problems he faces. If he can maintain this appearance, it could earn him bonus points. Besides managing numerous issues and crises as Chancellor, Mercedes also has a secondary goal: boosting his own popularity, as there's still significant room for improvement in public opinion.
Relevant Enrichment Data:
- New Sanctions Package: Merz has confirmed that a new package of sanctions against Russia is ready and will be decided upon by the European Union on May 20, 2025, in Brussels[2][3][4].
- Targeting Russian Assets: He has suggested that Germany and its allies are considering confiscating frozen Russian sovereign assets, provided there is a sound legal basis.
- Expansion of Sanctions: The new sanctions package includes restrictions on Russian vessels, companies involved in sanction circumvention, and additional individuals and entities linked to Russia's defense-industrial sector[5].
- Stance on Ukraine and Ceasefire Negotiations: Merz has emphasized that Germany will stand with Ukraine and has praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his efforts to engage in peace talks[2][5]. He has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for refusing to attend peace talks in Istanbul, stating that Putin's absence places him in the wrong[5]. He emphasizes that any peace agreement must not be dictated by Russia and that Ukraine should not be forced into unreasonable concessions while Russia continues to attack civilian targets[1].
The Commission has been requested to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as the new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, faces the challenge of addressing various issues beyond politics and general-news, including migration. During his government declaration, Merz was questioned about the government's stance on Ukraine, ceasefire negotiations, and the new sanctions package, which includes restrictions on Russian vessels and companies involved in sanction circumvention.
