Germany Stands by Merz’s Belém Comment as Lula Sets G20 Meeting

Overview

• Lula will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, according to G1.
• The German government says Merz will not apologize for his Belém comment and contends the episode has not harmed bilateral relations.
• Merz downplayed the dispute, calling Germany one of the world’s most beautiful countries and saying he expects a relaxed conversation with Lula.
• Officials in Berlin say the line referred to delegation fatigue after a roughly 20-hour stop in Belém bookended by long transatlantic flights.
• Reactions remain heated: Lula touted Pará’s culture and cuisine in rebuttal, German Greens and SPD figures and NGOs criticized Merz, and Rio’s mayor deleted an insulting post after backlash.