Overview

• In a Bundestag address, Friedrich Merz urged parties to “move toward each other,” warning against deepening division he suggested was visible in the United States.
• He promoted a renewal of the welfare state aimed at preservation rather than rollback, cautioning that significant cuts are likely and asking for public understanding.
• He highlighted a tougher migration approach, noting his government’s figures showing roughly a 60% year-on-year drop in August asylum applications.
• He framed climate policy as technology-first and opposed bans such as ending combustion engines, while pledging talks to keep key industries and jobs in Germany.
• Greens parliamentary leader Britta Haßelmann condemned him for lumping her party with the AfD and for stoking division, as President Trump’s UN praise for Merz drew little weight from Merkel.