Germany Won’t Apologize for Belém Remark as Brazil’s Senate Issues Censure

Overview

• Lula publicly rebuked Friedrich Merz after the German leader told a business audience that journalists were happy to leave Belém, saying Berlin lacks the quality found in Pará.
• The Brazilian Senate approved a symbolic vote of censure to be delivered via the Foreign Ministry, registering institutional protest over the comment about the COP30 host city.
• Merz’s spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, said the comment was taken out of context, ruled out an apology, and insisted the chancellor’s impression of the trip was positive and relations were not harmed.
• The German government issued conciliatory language praising Brazil and Belém and reiterated plans for a substantial contribution under discussion for the Tropical Forests Forever Fund.
• German lawmakers from multiple parties and Greenpeace Germany criticized Merz’s tone, while Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said the irritation would be overcome.