Overview
- Roughly 300 guests attended a Unionsfraktion-hosted reception in the Reichstag to mark the chancellor’s 70th birthday.
- CDU/CSU presented an original Reichstag flag obtained with Bundestag President Julia Klöckner’s approval, with organizers saying the flag on the building will be replaced.
- Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil gifted a framed note reading "Verantwortung für Deutschland," recalling Merz’s handwritten proposal for the coalition contract title.
- In their remarks, Merz and Klingbeil said the black‑red coalition is moving into a stable working mode and emphasized shared responsibility for governance.
- The event featured music by jazz musician Till Brönner and personal tributes such as motif ties from Jens Spahn; Merz is the first 70-plus chancellor since Adenauer and currently the EU’s oldest head of government.