Overview

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz will leave for his summer break in early August without revealing where he plans to spend his holiday.
• Education Minister Karin Prien has announced a trip to France, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will vacation at Lake Garda and Environment Minister Carsten Schneider is headed for Mallorca.
• Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius have declined to disclose their holiday locations, citing privacy and security considerations.
• Former Health Minister Jens Spahn’s recent Instagram photos from Juist have prompted renewed social media criticism and demands for him to address his past mask procurement scandal.
• The contrast between guarded and public vacation announcements has reignited debate over political image, informal diplomacy and the need for transparency during the summer recess.