Overview
- After meeting the Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern cabinet, Merz said he would seek a solution in Berlin to strengthen seaport infrastructure but stopped short of a concrete commitment.
- He called ports vital to Germany’s export economy and acknowledged they may have been overshadowed by road and air transport in past investment decisions.
- Minister‑President Manuela Schwesig urged increased federal support from the €300 billion special fund, arguing the current €38 million per year for ports is inadequate; industry groups have called for €500 million annually with a €15 billion overall need.
- The Schwerin agenda highlighted high electricity costs and economic revival, and included a visit to Ypsomed’s expanding plant in the city, where the Swiss medtech firm plans to invest over €500 million and grow to about 1,000 employees by 2030.
- The visit followed Merz’s day in Schleswig‑Holstein focused on renewables and hydrogen at GP Joule, discussions about battery manufacturing and Work‑and‑Stay labor agencies, and protests in Husum by roughly 150–200 people over his migration remarks.