Overview
- Taking questions in ARD’s Arena, Merz said he would phrase his October ‘Stadtbild’ remark differently and stressed that Germany needs immigration for sectors like healthcare, with rule breakers required to leave.
- He said the government aims to prevent an increase in statutory health insurance contributions next year, urging a swift federal–state deal on hospital savings to avert a 0.1–0.2 point rise flagged by the Techniker Krankenkasse.
- Merz confirmed a pension commission will be appointed before Christmas to present proposals by June 2026 and called linking retirement age to contribution years “worth considering” within a comprehensive reform.
- About 150 citizens questioned the chancellor on topics including migration, Wehrdienst, the Deutsche Bahn, healthcare and the Ukraine war, in a live format moderated by Jessy Wellmer and Louis Klamroth.
- The TV appearance followed a weekend of sharp criticism from entertainer Dieter Bohlen on leadership and regulation and comes as surveys show roughly 70–76 percent dissatisfied with Merz’s performance and the coalition.