Overview
- The CDU/CSU parliamentary group is organizing a November 11 reception in the Reichstag’s protocol hall for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s 70th birthday.
- Invitations have gone to Union Bundestag members, with further guests such as state prime ministers to follow and roughly 300 attendees expected.
- Merkel’s office told dpa it has no record of an invitation and said she would be unable to attend because she will be abroad.
- Organizers have not clarified whether an invitation might still be extended to the former chancellor.
- Merz becomes the first German chancellor over 70 in office since Konrad Adenauer, against a backdrop of his long‑strained relationship with Merkel, who has criticized his migration stance though he attended her 70th and praised her record.