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.mbox-image-div{width:52px}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .ambox{margin:0 10%}}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .ambox{display:none!important}}</style><table class="box-Current_related plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-notice" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This article may be affected by a <a href="/wiki/Portal:Current_events" title="Portal:Current events">current event</a>. Information in this article may change rapidly as the event progresses. Initial news reports may be <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Reliable_sources#Breaking_news" title="Wikipedia:Reliable sources">unreliable</a>. The <a class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Friedrich_Merz&action=history">last updates</a> to this article <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Risk_disclaimer" title="Wikipedia:Risk disclaimer">may not reflect</a> the most current information. Please feel free to <a class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Friedrich_Merz&action=edit">improve this article</a> (but note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed) or discuss changes on the <a href="/wiki/Talk:Friedrich_Merz" title="Talk:Friedrich Merz">talk page</a>. (February 2025) (<a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a>)</div></td></tr></tbody></table> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1257001546">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style>Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz (<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1177148991">.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}</style>German: <a href="/wiki/Help:IPA/Standard_German" title="Help:IPA/Standard German">[mɛɐts]</a>; born 11 November 1955) is a German politician who has served as <a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_Christian_Democratic_Union" title="Leader of the Christian Democratic Union">Leader of the Christian Democratic Union</a> (CDU) since January 2022 and led the <a href="/wiki/CDU/CSU" title="CDU/CSU">CDU/CSU</a> (Union) <a href="/wiki/Parliamentary_group" title="Parliamentary group">parliamentary group</a> as well as being <a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Germany)" title="Leader of the Opposition (Germany)">Leader of the Opposition</a> in the <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a> since February 2022. In September 2024, he became the Union's candidate for <a href="/wiki/Chancellor_of_Germany" title="Chancellor of Germany">Chancellor of Germany</a> ahead of the <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">2025 federal election</a>. With the CDU winning the most seats in the <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">2025 German federal election</a>, Merz is projected to become the next <a href="/wiki/Chancellor_of_Germany" title="Chancellor of Germany">Chancellor of Germany</a>.<a href="#cite_note-1">[1]</a><a href="#cite_note-2">[2]</a> <table class="infobox vcard"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above" style="font-size: 100%;"><div class="fn" style="font-size:125%;">Friedrich Merz</div><div class="honorific-suffix" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="/wiki/Member_of_the_German_Bundestag" title="Member of the German Bundestag">MdB</a></div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><a href="/wiki/File:2024-08-21_Event,_CDU,_Wahlkampf_mit_Friedrich_Merz_in_Erfurt_2024_STP_3041_by_Stepro_(cropped).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/2024-08-21_Event%2C_CDU%2C_Wahlkampf_mit_Friedrich_Merz_in_Erfurt_2024_STP_3041_by_Stepro_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-2024-08-21_Event%2C_CDU%2C_Wahlkampf_mit_Friedrich_Merz_in_Erfurt_2024_STP_3041_by_Stepro_%28cropped%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="308" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/2024-08-21_Event%2C_CDU%2C_Wahlkampf_mit_Friedrich_Merz_in_Erfurt_2024_STP_3041_by_Stepro_%28cropped%29.jpg/330px-2024-08-21_Event%2C_CDU%2C_Wahlkampf_mit_Friedrich_Merz_in_Erfurt_2024_STP_3041_by_Stepro_%28cropped%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/2024-08-21_Event%2C_CDU%2C_Wahlkampf_mit_Friedrich_Merz_in_Erfurt_2024_STP_3041_by_Stepro_%28cropped%29.jpg/440px-2024-08-21_Event%2C_CDU%2C_Wahlkampf_mit_Friedrich_Merz_in_Erfurt_2024_STP_3041_by_Stepro_%28cropped%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1465" data-file-height="2053"></a><div class="infobox-caption" style="line-height:normal;padding-top:0.2em;">Merz in 2024</div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122; background:lavender;line-height:normal;padding:0.2em;"><a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_Christian_Democratic_Union" title="Leader of the Christian Democratic Union">Leader of the Christian Democratic Union</a></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none"><div class="skin-nightmode-reset-color" style="width:100%; margin:0; color: black; background-color: lavender"><a href="/wiki/Incumbent" title="Incumbent">Incumbent</a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">Assumed office 31 January 2022</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Deputy</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Silvia_Breher" title="Silvia Breher">Silvia Breher</a> <a href="/wiki/Andreas_Jung" title="Andreas Jung">Andreas Jung</a> <a href="/wiki/Michael_Kretschmer" title="Michael Kretschmer">Michael Kretschmer</a> <a href="/wiki/Karl-Josef_Laumann" title="Karl-Josef Laumann">Karl-Josef Laumann</a> <a href="/wiki/Karin_Prien" title="Karin Prien">Karin Prien</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Preceded by</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Armin_Laschet" title="Armin Laschet">Armin Laschet</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122; background:lavender;line-height:normal;padding:0.2em;"><a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Germany)" title="Leader of the Opposition (Germany)">Leader of the Opposition</a></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none"><div class="skin-nightmode-reset-color" style="width:100%; margin:0; color: black; background-color: lavender"><a href="/wiki/Incumbent" title="Incumbent">Incumbent</a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">Assumed office 15 February 2022</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Chancellor</th><td class="infobox-data">Olaf Scholz</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Preceded by</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Ralph_Brinkhaus" title="Ralph Brinkhaus">Ralph Brinkhaus</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">In office 29 February 2000 – 22 September 2002</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Chancellor</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Gerhard_Schr%C3%B6der" title="Gerhard Schröder">Gerhard Schröder</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Preceded by</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Wolfgang_Sch%C3%A4uble" title="Wolfgang Schäuble">Wolfgang Schäuble</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Succeeded by</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Angela Merkel</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122; background:lavender;line-height:normal;padding:0.2em;"><a href="/wiki/CDU/CSU" title="CDU/CSU">Leader of the CDU/CSU</a> <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">in the Bundestag</a></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none"><div class="skin-nightmode-reset-color" style="width:100%; margin:0; color: black; background-color: lavender"><a href="/wiki/Incumbent" title="Incumbent">Incumbent</a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">Assumed office 15 February 2022</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">First Deputy</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Alexander_Dobrindt" title="Alexander Dobrindt">Alexander Dobrindt</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left"><a href="/wiki/Whip_(politics)" title="Whip (politics)">Chief Whip</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Thorsten_Frei" title="Thorsten Frei">Thorsten Frei</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Preceded by</th><td class="infobox-data">Ralph Brinkhaus</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">In office 29 February 2000 – 22 September 2002</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">First Deputy</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Michael_Glos" title="Michael Glos">Michael Glos</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Chief Whip</th><td class="infobox-data">Hans-Peter Repnik</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Preceded by</th><td class="infobox-data">Wolfgang Schäuble</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Succeeded by</th><td class="infobox-data">Angela Merkel</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122; background:lavender;line-height:normal;padding:0.2em;"><a href="/wiki/Member_of_the_German_Bundestag" title="Member of the German Bundestag">Member of the</a> <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a> for <a href="/wiki/Hochsauerlandkreis_(electoral_district)" title="Hochsauerlandkreis (electoral district)">Hochsauerlandkreis</a></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none"><div class="skin-nightmode-reset-color" style="width:100%; margin:0; color: black; background-color: lavender"><a href="/wiki/Incumbent" title="Incumbent">Incumbent</a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">Assumed office <a href="/wiki/2021_German_federal_election" title="2021 German federal election">26 October 2021</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Preceded by</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Patrick_Sensburg" title="Patrick Sensburg">Patrick Sensburg</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">In office <a href="/wiki/1994_German_federal_election" title="1994 German federal election">10 November 1994</a> – <a href="/wiki/2009_German_federal_election" title="2009 German federal election">27 October 2009</a></td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Preceded by</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Hochsauerlandkreis_(electoral_district)" title="Hochsauerlandkreis (electoral district)">Ferdinand Tillmann</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="text-align:left">Succeeded by</th><td class="infobox-data">Patrick Sensburg</td><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122; background:lavender;line-height:normal;padding:0.2em;"><a href="/wiki/Member_of_the_European_Parliament" title="Member of the European Parliament">Member of the</a> <a href="/wiki/European_Parliament" title="European Parliament">European Parliament</a> for <a href="/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphalia" title="North Rhine-Westphalia">North Rhine-Westphalia</a></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data" style="border-bottom:none">In office <a href="/wiki/1989_European_Parliament_election" title="1989 European Parliament election">22 July 1989</a> – <a href="/wiki/1994_European_Parliament_election" title="1994 European Parliament election">19 July 1994</a></td></tr><tr style="display:none"><td colspan="2"> </td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122; background:lavender">Personal details</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Born</th><td class="infobox-data"><div style="display:inline" class="nickname">Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz</div> (1955-11-11) 11 November 1955 (age 69) <a href="/wiki/Brilon" title="Brilon">Brilon</a>, <a href="/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphalia" title="North Rhine-Westphalia">North Rhine-Westphalia</a>, <a href="/wiki/West_Germany" title="West Germany">West Germany</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Political party</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany" title="Christian Democratic Union of Germany">Christian Democratic Union</a> (since 1972)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Spouse</th><td class="infobox-data"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style><div class="plainlist"> <ul><li><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1151524712">.mw-parser-output .marriage-line-margin2px{line-height:0;margin-bottom:-2px}.mw-parser-output .marriage-line-margin3px{line-height:0;margin-bottom:-3px}.mw-parser-output .marriage-display-ws{display:inline;white-space:nowrap}</style></li></ul> <div class="marriage-display-ws"><div style="display:inline-block;line-height:normal;">Charlotte Gass</div> <div style="display:inline-block;"></div>(<abbr title="married">m.</abbr> 1981)</div> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Children</th><td class="infobox-data">3</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Residence</th><td class="infobox-data label"><a href="/wiki/Arnsberg" title="Arnsberg">Arnsberg</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Education</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/University_of_Bonn" title="University of Bonn">University of Bonn</a> <a href="/wiki/University_of_Marburg" title="University of Marburg">University of Marburg</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Signature</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/File:Friedrich_Merz_Signature.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Friedrich Merz's signature"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Friedrich_Merz_Signature.svg/128px-Friedrich_Merz_Signature.svg.png" decoding="async" width="128" height="36" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Friedrich_Merz_Signature.svg/192px-Friedrich_Merz_Signature.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Friedrich_Merz_Signature.svg/256px-Friedrich_Merz_Signature.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="200" data-file-height="56"></a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Website</th><td class="infobox-data"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.friedrich-merz.de/">friedrich-merz.de</a></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122; background:lavender">Military service</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Allegiance</th><td class="infobox-data"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/23px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/35px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/46px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600"> <a href="/wiki/West_Germany" title="West Germany">West Germany</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Branch/service</th><td class="infobox-data"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Bundeswehr_Logo_Heer_with_lettering.svg/13px-Bundeswehr_Logo_Heer_with_lettering.svg.png" decoding="async" width="13" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Bundeswehr_Logo_Heer_with_lettering.svg/20px-Bundeswehr_Logo_Heer_with_lettering.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Bundeswehr_Logo_Heer_with_lettering.svg/26px-Bundeswehr_Logo_Heer_with_lettering.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="871" data-file-height="1000"> <a href="/wiki/German_Army" title="German Army">German Army (Heer)</a> / <a href="/wiki/Self-propelled_artillery" title="Self-propelled artillery">Self-propelled artillery</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Years of service</th><td class="infobox-data">1975–1976</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Unit</th><td class="infobox-data">Panzer Artillery Training Battalion 310</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-below" style="border-top: 1px solid right;"><div></div></td></tr></tbody></table> Merz was born in <a href="/wiki/Brilon" title="Brilon">Brilon</a>, <a href="/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphalia" title="North Rhine-Westphalia">North Rhine-Westphalia</a>, <a href="/wiki/West_Germany" title="West Germany">West Germany</a>. He joined the <a href="/wiki/Young_Union" title="Young Union">Young Union</a> in 1972. After finishing law school in 1985, Merz worked as a judge and <a href="/wiki/Corporate_lawyer" title="Corporate lawyer">corporate lawyer</a> before entering full-time politics in 1989 when he was elected to the <a href="/wiki/European_Parliament" title="European Parliament">European Parliament</a>. After serving one term he was elected to the <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a>, where he established himself as the leading financial policy expert in the CDU. In 2000 he was elected chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the same year as <a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Angela Merkel</a> was elected chairwoman of the CDU, and at the time they were chief rivals for the leadership of the party, which led the opposition together with <a href="/wiki/Christian_Social_Union_in_Bavaria" title="Christian Social Union in Bavaria">CSU</a>.<a href="#cite_note-3">[3]</a><a href="#cite_note-:7-4">[4]</a> After the <a href="/wiki/2002_German_federal_election" title="2002 German federal election">2002 federal election</a>, CDU party leader Angela Merkel claimed the parliamentary group chairmanship for herself, while Merz was elected deputy parliamentary group leader. In December 2004, he resigned from this office, thereby giving up the years-long power struggle with Merkel<a href="#cite_note-:15-5">[5]</a><a href="#cite_note-:7-4">[4]</a> and gradually withdrew from politics, focusing on his legal career and leaving parliament entirely in 2009, until his return to parliament in 2021. In 2004 he became a senior counsel with <a href="/wiki/Mayer_Brown" title="Mayer Brown">Mayer Brown</a>, where he has focused on mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, and compliance. He has served on the boards of numerous companies, including <a href="/wiki/BlackRock" title="BlackRock">BlackRock Germany</a>. A corporate lawyer and reputed multimillionaire, Merz is also a licensed <a href="/wiki/Private_pilot" class="mw-redirect" title="Private pilot">private pilot</a> and owns two aeroplanes.<a href="#cite_note-6">[6]</a><a href="#cite_note-:13-7">[7]</a> In 2018, he announced his return to politics. He was elected CDU leader in December 2021, assuming the office in January 2022. He had failed to win the position in two previous leadership elections in <a href="/wiki/2018_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election" title="2018 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election">2018</a>,<a href="#cite_note-Berlin-2018-8">[8]</a><a href="#cite_note-Connolly-2018-9">[9]</a> and <a href="/wiki/January_2021_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election" title="January 2021 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election">January 2021</a>.<a href="#cite_note-tagesschau.de-2021-10">[10]</a><a href="#cite_note-Associated_Press-2021-11">[11]</a> As a young politician in the 1970s and 1980s, he was a staunch supporter of <a href="/wiki/Anti-communism" title="Anti-communism">anti-communism</a>, the dominant political <a href="/wiki/Doctrine" title="Doctrine">doctrine</a> of <a href="/wiki/West_Germany" title="West Germany">West Germany</a> and a core tenet of the CDU. Merz is seen as a representative of the traditional establishment conservative and pro-business wings of the CDU.<a href="#cite_note-Escritt-2018-12">[12]</a> His book Mehr Kapitalismus wagen (Venturing More Capitalism) advocates <a href="/wiki/Economic_liberalism" title="Economic liberalism">economic liberalism</a>. He has long been considered "exceptionally pro-American"<a href="#cite_note-ind1-13">[13]</a> and has been chairman of the <a href="/wiki/Atlantik-Br%C3%BCcke" title="Atlantik-Brücke">Atlantik-Brücke</a> association which promotes German-American friendship and <a href="/wiki/Atlanticism" title="Atlanticism">Atlanticism</a>. He is a staunch supporter of the <a href="/wiki/European_Union" title="European Union">European Union</a>, <a href="/wiki/NATO" title="NATO">NATO</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Liberal_international_order" title="Liberal international order">liberal international order</a>, having described himself as "a truly convinced European, a convinced <a href="/wiki/Transatlanticism_(politics)" class="mw-redirect" title="Transatlanticism (politics)">transatlanticist</a>, and a German open to the world".<a href="#cite_note-WELT-2018-14">[14]</a> Merz advocates a <a href="/wiki/Ever_closer_union" class="mw-redirect" title="Ever closer union">closer union</a> and "<a href="/wiki/European_army" title="European army">an army for Europe</a>".<a href="#cite_note-www.handelsblatt.com-15">[15]</a> He is known for a hawkish stance on Russia and China, and is critical of the <a href="/wiki/Second_Trump_administration" class="mw-redirect" title="Second Trump administration">Trump administration</a>. He has likened the United States under Donald Trump to <a href="/wiki/Russia_under_Vladimir_Putin" title="Russia under Vladimir Putin">Russia under Vladimir Putin</a>, criticized American and Russian <a href="/wiki/Foreign_electoral_intervention" title="Foreign electoral intervention">election interference</a> and said Europe must urgently strengthen its defences and potentially find a replacement for NATO to achieve "independence" from the United States.<a href="#cite_note-auto1-16">[16]</a> <div id="toc" class="toc" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="mw-toc-heading"><input type="checkbox" role="button" id="toctogglecheckbox" class="toctogglecheckbox" style="display:none"><div class="toctitle" lang="en" dir="ltr"><h2 id="mw-toc-heading">Contents</h2><label class="toctogglelabel" for="toctogglecheckbox"></label></div> <ul> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="#Background_and_early_life">1 Background and early life</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="#Early_political_career">2 Early political career</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-3"><a href="#Member_of_the_European_Parliament_(1989%E2%80%931994)">2.1 Member of the European Parliament (1989–1994)</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-4"><a href="#Member_of_the_Bundestag_(1994%E2%80%932009)">2.2 Member of the Bundestag (1994–2009)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-5"><a href="#Private_sector_career_(2009%E2%80%932018)">3 Private sector career (2009–2018)</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-6"><a href="#Return_to_politics">4 Return to politics</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-7"><a href="#Chairman_of_the_CDU_(2022%E2%80%93present)">4.1 Chairman of the CDU (2022–present)</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-8"><a href="#CDU_chancellor_candidate_(2025)">4.1.1 CDU chancellor candidate (2025)</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-9"><a href="#Presumptive_Chancellor_of_Germany">5 Presumptive Chancellor of Germany</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-10"><a href="#Political_positions">6 Political positions</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-11"><a href="#Asylum,_migration_and_integration">6.1 Asylum, migration and integration</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-12"><a href="#Social_policy">6.2 Social policy</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-13"><a href="#Foreign_policy">6.3 Foreign policy</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-14"><a href="#General_stance">6.3.1 General stance</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-15"><a href="#United_States">6.3.2 United States</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-16"><a href="#Russia_and_its_invasion_of_Ukraine">6.3.3 Russia and its invasion of Ukraine</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-17"><a href="#Conflicts_in_the_Middle_East">6.3.4 Conflicts in the Middle East</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-18"><a href="#Energy_policy">6.4 Energy policy</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-19"><a href="#Environmental_policy">6.5 Environmental policy</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-20"><a href="#Approach_towards_the_AfD">6.6 Approach towards the AfD</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-21"><a href="#Secondary_activities_as_a_member_of_federal_parliament">6.7 Secondary activities as a member of federal parliament</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-22"><a href="#Lawsuit_against_transparency_law_or_against_disclosure_of_additional_income">6.8 Lawsuit against transparency law or against disclosure of additional income</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-23"><a href="#Millionaire_and_middle-class_debate">6.9 Millionaire and middle-class debate</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-24"><a href="#LGBT+_people">6.10 LGBT+ people</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-25"><a href="#Other_activities">7 Other activities</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-26"><a href="#Personal_life">8 Personal life</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-27"><a href="#Book">9 Book</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-28"><a href="#Notes">10 Notes</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-29"><a href="#References">11 References</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-30"><a href="#External_links">12 External links</a></li> </ul> </div> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(1)"><h2 id="Background_and_early_life">Background and early life</h2></div><section class="mf-section-1 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-1"> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><noscript><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg/220px-Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="169" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="2278" data-file-height="1749"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 220px;height: 169px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg/220px-Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg" data-width="220" data-height="169" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg/330px-Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg/440px-Brilon-Haus_Sauvigny-2006-06-25.jpg 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a><figcaption>Sauvigny House in <a href="/wiki/Brilon" title="Brilon">Brilon</a>, Merz's childhood home that belonged to his mother's Sauvigny family, a locally prominent <a href="/wiki/Patrician_(post-Roman_Europe)" title="Patrician (post-Roman Europe)">patrician</a> family.</figcaption></figure> Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz was born on 11 November 1955 to Joachim Merz (born 1924) and Paula Sauvigny (born 1928) in <a href="/wiki/Brilon" title="Brilon">Brilon</a> in the state of <a href="/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphalia" title="North Rhine-Westphalia">North Rhine-Westphalia</a> in then-<a href="/wiki/West_Germany" title="West Germany">West Germany</a>.<a href="#cite_note-Lohse-17">[17]</a> His father was a judge and a member of the CDU.<a href="#cite_note-18">[18]</a> The Sauvigny family was a locally prominent <a href="/wiki/Patrician_(post-Roman_Europe)" title="Patrician (post-Roman Europe)">patrician</a> family in Brilon, of French ancestry. His maternal grandfather was Brilon mayor <a href="/w/index.php?title=Josef_Paul_Sauvigny&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Josef Paul Sauvigny (page does not exist)">Josef Paul Sauvigny</a> [<a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Paul_Sauvigny" class="extiw" title="de:Josef Paul Sauvigny">de</a>].<a href="#cite_note-19">[19]</a> Merz is <a href="/wiki/Catholic" class="mw-redirect" title="Catholic">Catholic</a>.<a href="#cite_note-:9-20">[20]</a><a href="#cite_note-:10-21">[21]</a><a href="#cite_note-:11-22">[22]</a><a href="#cite_note-:12-23">[23]</a> He was raised in his mother's family home <a href="/w/index.php?title=Sauvigny_House&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Sauvigny House (page does not exist)">Sauvigny House</a> [<a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haus_Sauvigny" class="extiw" title="de:Haus Sauvigny">de</a>] in Brilon. Built in 1752, <a href="/wiki/J%C3%A9r%C3%B4me_Bonaparte" title="Jérôme Bonaparte">Jérôme Bonaparte</a> spent a night there in 1813. The house was announced for sale for €2 million in 2021.<a href="#cite_note-24">[24]</a><a href="#cite_note-25">[25]</a> After finishing his <a href="/wiki/Abitur" title="Abitur">Abitur</a> exam in 1975 Merz served his <a href="/wiki/Military_service" title="Military service">military service</a> as a <a href="/wiki/Soldier" title="Soldier">soldier</a> with a <a href="/wiki/Self-propelled_artillery" title="Self-propelled artillery">self-propelled artillery</a> unit of the <a href="/wiki/German_Army" title="German Army">German Army</a>.<a href="#cite_note-26">[26]</a> From 1976 he studied <a href="/wiki/Law" title="Law">law</a> with a scholarship from the <a href="/wiki/Konrad_Adenauer_Foundation" title="Konrad Adenauer Foundation">Konrad Adenauer Foundation</a>, first at the <a href="/wiki/University_of_Bonn" title="University of Bonn">University of Bonn</a>, later at the <a href="/wiki/University_of_Marburg" title="University of Marburg">University of Marburg</a>. At Bonn he was a member of <a href="/w/index.php?title=KDStV_Bavaria_Bonn&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="KDStV Bavaria Bonn (page does not exist)">KDStV Bavaria Bonn</a> [<a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDStV_Bavaria_Bonn" class="extiw" title="de:KDStV Bavaria Bonn">de</a>], a Catholic student fraternity founded in 1844 that is part of the <a href="/wiki/Cartellverband" title="Cartellverband">Cartellverband</a>. After finishing law school in 1985, he became a <a href="/wiki/Judge" title="Judge">judge</a> in <a href="/wiki/Saarbr%C3%BCcken" title="Saarbrücken">Saarbrücken</a>. In 1986 he left his position as a judge in order to work as an in-house <a href="/wiki/Lawyer" title="Lawyer">attorney-at-law</a> at the German Chemical Industry Association in <a href="/wiki/Bonn" title="Bonn">Bonn</a> and <a href="/wiki/Frankfurt" title="Frankfurt">Frankfurt</a> from 1986 to 1989.<a href="#cite_note-27">[27]</a> Merz speaks German, French and English.<a href="#cite_note-28">[28]</a> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(2)"><h2 id="Early_political_career">Early political career</h2></div><section class="mf-section-2 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-2"> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:KAS-Merz,_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><noscript><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg/220px-KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="311" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="782" data-file-height="1106"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 220px;height: 311px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg/220px-KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg" data-width="220" data-height="311" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg/330px-KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg/440px-KAS-Merz%2C_Friedrich-Bild-26612-2.jpg 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a><figcaption>'For German interests in Europe' – Merz as a young Christian Democrat in 1989</figcaption></figure> In 1972, at the age of seventeen, he became a member of the CDU's youth wing, the <a href="/wiki/Young_Union" title="Young Union">Young Union</a>.<a href="#cite_note-Lohse-17">[17]</a> He became President of the Brilon branch of the Young Union in 1980. <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Member_of_the_European_Parliament_(1989–1994)">Member of the European Parliament (1989–1994)</h3></div> Merz successfully ran as a candidate in the <a href="/wiki/1989_European_Parliament_election" title="1989 European Parliament election">1989 European Parliament election</a> and served one term as a <a href="/wiki/Member_of_the_European_Parliament" title="Member of the European Parliament">Member of the European Parliament</a> until 1994. He was a member of the <a href="/wiki/Committee_on_Economic_and_Monetary_Affairs" class="mw-redirect" title="Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs">Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs</a> and of the parliament's delegation for relations with <a href="/wiki/Malta" title="Malta">Malta</a>. <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Member_of_the_Bundestag_(1994–2009)">Member of the Bundestag (1994–2009)</h3></div> From the <a href="/wiki/1994_German_federal_election" title="1994 German federal election">1994 German elections</a>, he served as member of the <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a> for his constituency, the <a href="/wiki/Hochsauerlandkreis_(electoral_district)" title="Hochsauerlandkreis (electoral district)">Hochsauerland</a>. In his first term, he was a member of the Finance Committee. In October 1998 Merz became vice-chairman and in February 2000 Chairman of the CDU/<a href="/wiki/Christian_Social_Union_of_Bavaria" class="mw-redirect" title="Christian Social Union of Bavaria">CSU</a> parliamentary group (alongside <a href="/wiki/Michael_Glos" title="Michael Glos">Michael Glos</a>), succeeding <a href="/wiki/Wolfgang_Sch%C3%A4uble" title="Wolfgang Schäuble">Wolfgang Schäuble</a>. In this capacity, he was the opposition leader in the Bundestag during <a href="/wiki/Chancellor_of_Germany" title="Chancellor of Germany">Chancellor</a> <a href="/wiki/Gerhard_Schr%C3%B6der" title="Gerhard Schröder">Gerhard Schröder</a>'s first term. Ahead of the <a href="/wiki/2002_German_federal_election" title="2002 German federal election">2002 elections</a>, <a href="/wiki/Edmund_Stoiber" title="Edmund Stoiber">Edmund Stoiber</a> included Merz in his <a href="/wiki/Shadow_cabinet" title="Shadow cabinet">shadow cabinet</a> for the Christian Democrats' campaign to unseat incumbent Schröder as chancellor. During the campaign, Merz served as Stoiber's expert for financial markets and the national budget.<a href="#cite_note-29">[29]</a> After Stoiber's electoral defeat, <a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Angela Merkel</a> assumed the leadership of the parliamentary group; Merz again served as vice-chairman until 2004. From 2002 to 2004, he was also a member of the executive board of the CDU, again under the leadership of Merkel.<a href="#cite_note-:15-5">[5]</a> In 2005 he has been described by German media as a new member of the <a href="/w/index.php?title=Andean_Pact_(CDU)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Andean Pact (CDU) (page does not exist)">Andean Pact</a> [<a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andenpakt_(CDU)" class="extiw" title="de:Andenpakt (CDU)">de</a>],<a href="#cite_note-30">[30]</a> a originally secret network of influential CDU men formed in 1979 by then members of Young Union during a trip to the South American <a href="/wiki/Andes" title="Andes">Andes</a> region. The Andean pact stood in opposition to Merkel, especially in the five years before she became chancellor in 2005, after she had become chairperson of the CDU. Years before his admission, Merz had already a "fundamental loyalty" to his peers in the Andean Pact.<a href="#cite_note-:7-4">[4]</a> Between <a href="/wiki/2005_German_federal_election" title="2005 German federal election">2005</a> and 2009, Merz was a member of the Committee on Legal Affairs. In 2006, he was one of nine parliamentarians who filed a complaint at the <a href="/wiki/Federal_Constitutional_Court" title="Federal Constitutional Court">Federal Constitutional Court</a> against the disclosure of additional sources of income; the complaint was ultimately unsuccessful.<a href="#cite_note-31">[31]</a> By 2007, he announced he would not be running for political office in the <a href="/wiki/2009_German_federal_election" title="2009 German federal election">2009 elections</a>. </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(3)"><h2 id="Private_sector_career_(2009–2018)">Private sector career (2009–2018)</h2></div><section class="mf-section-3 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-3"> Upon leaving politics, Merz worked as a corporate lawyer. Since 2004 he has been a <a href="/wiki/Senior_Counsel" class="mw-redirect" title="Senior Counsel">Senior Counsel</a> at <a href="/wiki/Mayer_Brown" title="Mayer Brown">Mayer Brown</a>'s <a href="/wiki/D%C3%BCsseldorf" title="Düsseldorf">Düsseldorf</a> office,<a href="#cite_note-32">[32]</a> where he works on the <a href="/wiki/Corporate_finance" title="Corporate finance">corporate finance</a> team; before 2004 he was a senior counsel with Cornelius Bartenbach Haesemann.<a href="#cite_note-33">[33]</a> His work as a lawyer and board member has made him a multimillionaire.<a href="#cite_note-34">[34]</a> He has also taken on numerous positions on corporate boards, including the following: <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1184024115">.mw-parser-output .div-col{margin-top:0.3em;column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .div-col-small{font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output .div-col-rules{column-rule:1px solid #aaa}.mw-parser-output .div-col dl,.mw-parser-output .div-col ol,.mw-parser-output .div-col ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .div-col li,.mw-parser-output .div-col dd{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}</style><div class="div-col" style="column-width: 30em;"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Robert_Bosch_GmbH" class="mw-redirect" title="Robert Bosch GmbH">Robert Bosch GmbH</a>, Member of International Advisory Committee (since 2011)</li> <li>WEPA Hygieneprodukte GmbH, Chairman of the supervisory board (since 2009)</li> <li>Deutsche Rockwool, Member of the Supervisory Board</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ernst_%26_Young" title="Ernst & Young">Ernst & Young Germany</a>, Member of the Advisory Board</li> <li>Odewald & Compagnie, Member of the Advisory Board</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Winterthur_Group" title="Winterthur Group">DBV-Winterthur Holding</a>, Member of the Supervisory Board</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cologne_Bonn_Airport" title="Cologne Bonn Airport">Cologne Bonn Airport</a>, Chairman of the supervisory board (2017–2020)<a href="#cite_note-auto-35">[35]</a><a href="#cite_note-36">[36]</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/BlackRock" title="BlackRock">BlackRock Germany</a>, Chairman of the supervisory board (2016–2020)<a href="#cite_note-37">[37]</a><a href="#cite_note-38">[38]</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Stadler_Rail" title="Stadler Rail">Stadler Rail</a>, Member of the Board of Directors (2006–2020)<a href="#cite_note-39">[39]</a><a href="#cite_note-40">[40]</a><a href="#cite_note-41">[41]</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/HSBC_Trinkaus" title="HSBC Trinkaus">HSBC Trinkaus</a>, chairman of the advisory board (2010–2019)<a href="#cite_note-42">[42]</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Borussia_Dortmund" title="Borussia Dortmund">Borussia Dortmund</a>, Member of the supervisory board (2010–2014)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Axa" title="Axa">Axa Konzern AG</a>, Member of the supervisory board (2007–2014)<a href="#cite_note-43">[43]</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/IVG_Immobilien" title="IVG Immobilien">IVG Immobilien</a>, Member of the supervisory board (2006–2010)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Deutsche_B%C3%B6rse" title="Deutsche Börse">Deutsche Börse</a>, Member of the supervisory board (2005–2015)</li> <li>Interseroh, Member of the supervisory board (2005–2009)<a href="#cite_note-44">[44]</a></li></ul> </div> Between 2010 and 2011, Merz represented the shareholders of <a href="/wiki/WestLB" class="mw-redirect" title="WestLB">WestLB</a>, a publicly owned institution that had previously been Germany's third-largest lender, in talks with bidders.<a href="#cite_note-45">[45]</a> In 2012, he joined <a href="/wiki/Norbert_R%C3%B6ttgen" title="Norbert Röttgen">Norbert Röttgen</a>'s campaign team for the <a href="/wiki/2012_North_Rhine-Westphalia_state_election" title="2012 North Rhine-Westphalia state election">North Rhine-Westphalia state election</a> as advisor on economic policy.<a href="#cite_note-46">[46]</a> He served as a CDU delegate to the <a href="/wiki/Federal_Convention_(Germany)" title="Federal Convention (Germany)">Federal Convention</a> for the purpose of electing the <a href="/wiki/President_of_Germany" title="President of Germany">President of Germany</a> in <a href="/wiki/2012_German_presidential_election" title="2012 German presidential election">2012</a> and in <a href="/wiki/2017_German_presidential_election" title="2017 German presidential election">2017</a>.<a href="#cite_note-47">[47]</a> In November 2017, Merz was appointed by <a href="/wiki/List_of_Ministers-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia" class="mw-redirect" title="List of Ministers-President of North Rhine-Westphalia">Minister-President</a> <a href="/wiki/Armin_Laschet" title="Armin Laschet">Armin Laschet</a> of <a href="/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphalia" title="North Rhine-Westphalia">North Rhine-Westphalia</a> as his Commissioner for <a href="/wiki/Brexit" title="Brexit">Brexit</a> and <a href="/wiki/Transatlantic_relations" title="Transatlantic relations">Transatlantic Relations</a>, an unpaid advisory position.<a href="#cite_note-48">[48]</a><a href="#cite_note-auto-35">[35]</a> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1275594942">@media all and (max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery{width:100%!important}}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery{display:table}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-default{background:transparent;margin-top:4px}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-center{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-left{float:left}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-right{float:right}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-none{float:none}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-center .gallery{justify-content:center}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-left .gallery{justify-content:left}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-right .gallery{justify-content:right}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery-collapsible{width:100%}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery .title,.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery .main,.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery .footer{display:table-row}.mw-parser-output .mod-gallery .title>div{display:table-cell;padding:0 4px 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\200b \200b "]):not([alt*="\200b \200b \200c "]){background:white!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .mod-gallery img[alt*="\200b \200b \200b "]{filter:invert(1)hue-rotate(180deg)}}</style><div class="mod-gallery mod-gallery-default mod-gallery-center"><div class="main"><div><ul class="gallery mw-gallery-packed nochecker bordered-images whitebg"> <li class="gallerybox" style="width: 262px"> <div class="thumb" style="width: 260px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz,_Beer.jpg" class="mw-file-description" title="Friedrich Merz (2004)"><noscript><img alt="Friedrich Merz (2004)" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg/390px-Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg" decoding="async" width="260" height="200" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="1482" data-file-height="1141"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 260px;height: 200px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg/390px-Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg" data-alt="Friedrich Merz (2004)" data-width="260" data-height="200" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg/585px-Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg/779px-Msc_2004-Saturday_Morning-1100_-_1300-Merz%2C_Beer.jpg 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a></div> <div class="gallerytext">Friedrich Merz (2004)</div> </li> <li class="gallerybox" style="width: 161.33333333333px"> <div class="thumb" style="width: 159.33333333333px;"><a href="/wiki/File:2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG" class="mw-file-description" title="Friedrich Merz (2017)"><noscript><img alt="Friedrich Merz (2017)" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG/239px-2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG" decoding="async" width="160" height="200" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="1004" data-file-height="1260"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 160px;height: 200px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG/239px-2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG" data-alt="Friedrich Merz (2017)" data-width="160" data-height="200" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG/358px-2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG/478px-2017-02-01_Friedrich_Merz-7692.JPG 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a></div> <div class="gallerytext">Friedrich Merz (2017)</div> </li> <li class="gallerybox" style="width: 301.33333333333px"> <div class="thumb" style="width: 299.33333333333px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg" class="mw-file-description" title="Merz as chairman of the Atlantic Bridge with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen (in 2015)."><noscript><img alt="Merz as chairman of the Atlantic Bridge with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen (in 2015)." src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg/449px-Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg" decoding="async" width="300" height="200" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="4928" data-file-height="3298"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 300px;height: 200px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg/449px-Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg" data-alt="Merz as chairman of the Atlantic Bridge with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen (in 2015)." data-width="300" data-height="200" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg/673px-Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg/897px-Secretary_of_defense_visits_Germany_150622-D-DT527-253.jpg 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a></div> <div class="gallerytext">Merz as chairman of the <a href="/wiki/Atlantik-Br%C3%BCcke" title="Atlantik-Brücke">Atlantic Bridge</a> with US Defense Secretary <a href="/wiki/Ash_Carter" title="Ash Carter">Ash Carter</a> and German Defense Minister <a href="/wiki/Ursula_von_der_Leyen" title="Ursula von der Leyen">Ursula von der Leyen</a> (in 2015).</div> </li> </ul></div></div></div> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(4)"><h2 id="Return_to_politics">Return to politics</h2></div><section class="mf-section-4 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-4"> After <a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Angela Merkel</a> announced her intention to step down as <a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_Christian_Democratic_Union" title="Leader of the Christian Democratic Union">leader of the CDU party</a>, Merz announced he would run in the subsequent <a href="/wiki/2018_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election" title="2018 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election">2018 party leadership election</a>.<a href="#cite_note-Berlin-2018-8">[8]</a> His candidacy was promoted by the former CDU chairman and "crown prince" of the Kohl era, <a href="/wiki/Wolfgang_Sch%C3%A4uble" title="Wolfgang Schäuble">Wolfgang Schäuble</a> (former President of the Bundestag, ranked second in federal precedence).<a href="#cite_note-49">[49]</a> On 7 December 2018, in the second round of the leadership election, Merz was defeated by <a href="/wiki/Annegret_Kramp-Karrenbauer" title="Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer">Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer</a>.<a href="#cite_note-Berlin-2018-8">[8]</a><a href="#cite_note-Connolly-2018-9">[9]</a> On 25 February 2020, he announced his candidacy in the <a href="/wiki/January_2021_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election" title="January 2021 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election">first 2021 CDU leadership election</a>.<a href="#cite_note-50">[50]</a> His closest competitors were <a href="/wiki/Armin_Laschet" title="Armin Laschet">Armin Laschet</a> and <a href="/wiki/Norbert_R%C3%B6ttgen" title="Norbert Röttgen">Norbert Röttgen</a>.<a href="#cite_note-51">[51]</a><a href="#cite_note-52">[52]</a> After several postponements, the election of the new CDU party president took place at the party congress on 15–16 January 2021, which was the first time in the party's history that it was held fully online. In the first round, Merz received 385 votes, 5 more than Laschet. In the second round, Merz received 466 votes out of 1001 delegates, while Laschet received 521 votes, thus failing to win the party president's post for the second time.<a href="#cite_note-53">[53]</a><a href="#cite_note-54">[54]</a><a href="#cite_note-55">[55]</a><a href="#cite_note-56">[56]</a> The same day, after losing the leadership election, Merz proposed to "join the current government and take over the <a href="/wiki/Federal_Ministry_for_Economic_Affairs_and_Energy" class="mw-redirect" title="Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy">Ministry for Economy</a>". The ministry was already headed by his party colleague <a href="/wiki/Peter_Altmaier" title="Peter Altmaier">Peter Altmaier</a> at the time and the proposal was rebuffed.<a href="#cite_note-57">[57]</a> Laschet was quick to placate Merz by recruiting him to his campaign team. Laschet justified this by saying that Merz was "without doubt a team player" and that his economic and financial expertise could provide crucial help in overcoming the huge challenge of the pandemic in a sustainable way.<a href="#cite_note-58">[58]</a> Ahead of the <a href="/wiki/2021_German_federal_election" title="2021 German federal election">2021 German federal election</a>, <a href="/wiki/Patrick_Sensburg" title="Patrick Sensburg">Patrick Sensburg</a>, Merz's successor in his seat in the Bundestag, failed to secure his party's support for a new candidacy. Merz instead replaced him, returning to the Bundestag after a 12-year absence.<a href="#cite_note-59">[59]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Chairman_of_the_CDU_(2022–present)">Chairman of the CDU (2022–present)</h3></div> On 15 November 2021, Merz announced his candidacy in the <a href="/wiki/December_2021_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election" title="December 2021 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election">second 2021 CDU leadership election</a>.<a href="#cite_note-60">[60]</a><a href="#cite_note-61">[61]</a> His opponents were <a href="/wiki/Norbert_R%C3%B6ttgen" title="Norbert Röttgen">Norbert Röttgen</a> and <a href="/wiki/Helge_Braun" title="Helge Braun">Helge Braun</a>.<a href="#cite_note-62">[62]</a> During their short campaign, Merz's rivals positioned themselves as <a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Merkel's</a> heirs. Against them, Merz promised a decisive break with the centrist line Merkel had followed for 16 years. In total, some 400,000 CDU members were able to vote online or by letter. By 17 December 2021, Merz had already won an absolute majority of 62.1 per cent of the membership in the first round of voting, so a second round of voting was not necessary. This meant that at his third attempt, he managed to win the party presidency. Asked for his reaction to the results of the vote, Merz said: "Quietly I just said to myself, 'WOW'; but only quietly, the winning marching songs are far from me."<a href="#cite_note-63">[63]</a><a href="#cite_note-64">[64]</a><a href="#cite_note-65">[65]</a> Merz was formally elected Chairman of the CDU by its 1001 congress delegates at the virtual federal party congress on 22 January 2022. In the end, 915 out of 983 delegates voted for him, winning 94.6% of the valid votes to become the leader of the largest opposition party in the <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a>. The vote was formally a so-called "digital pre-vote", the result of which has been confirmed in writing by the delegates.<a href="#cite_note-66">[66]</a><a href="#cite_note-Vitzthum-2022-67">[67]</a><a href="#cite_note-68">[68]</a> After <a href="/wiki/Annegret_Kramp-Karrenbauer" title="Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer">Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer</a> and <a href="/wiki/Armin_Laschet" title="Armin Laschet">Armin Laschet</a>, Merz became the third leader of the <a href="/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany" title="Christian Democratic Union of Germany">Christian Democratic Union</a> within three years.<a href="#cite_note-Vitzthum-2022-67">[67]</a> He officially took office as party leader on 31 January 2022.<a href="#cite_note-69">[69]</a> <div style="clear:both;" class=""></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="CDU_chancellor_candidate_(2025)">CDU chancellor candidate (2025)</h4></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">2025 German federal election</a></div> In September 2024 Merz became the <a href="/wiki/CDU/CSU" title="CDU/CSU">Union's</a> designated candidate for Chancellor of Germany for the <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">2025 federal election</a>, after <a href="/wiki/Hendrik_W%C3%BCst" title="Hendrik Wüst">Hendrik Wüst</a> (CDU) and <a href="/wiki/Markus_S%C3%B6der" title="Markus Söder">Markus Söder</a> (<a href="/wiki/Christian_Social_Union_in_Bavaria" title="Christian Social Union in Bavaria">CSU</a>) decided not to run and after both declared their support for Merz.<a href="#cite_note-:0-70">[70]</a><a href="#cite_note-:1-71">[71]</a> Exit polls released following the <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">2025 federal election</a> showed CDU would win the most seats in the German parliament, albeit with its second worst result ever, thus ensuring Merz with the role of <a href="/wiki/Chancellor_of_Germany" title="Chancellor of Germany">Chancellor of Germany</a>.<a href="#cite_note-72">[72]</a> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(5)"><h2 id="Presumptive_Chancellor_of_Germany">Presumptive Chancellor of Germany</h2></div><section class="mf-section-5 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-5"> <a href="/wiki/Politico" title="Politico">Politico</a> noted that "Merz and other European mainstream leaders increasingly see the U.S. no longer a beacon — that “shining city upon a hill,” as Reagan liked to call it — but rather as another force joining Russia and China to steadily chip away at their ever-more brittle democracies."<a href="#cite_note-73">[73]</a> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(6)"><h2 id="Political_positions">Political positions</h2></div><section class="mf-section-6 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-6"> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul 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3.3em}@media(max-width:640px){body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .sidebar{width:100%!important;clear:both;float:none!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important}}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .sidebar a>img{max-width:none!important}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-list-title,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-title-with-pretitle{background:transparent!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-title-with-pretitle a{color:var(--color-progressive)!important}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-list-title,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-title-with-pretitle{background:transparent!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-title-with-pretitle a{color:var(--color-progressive)!important}}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .sidebar{display:none!important}}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239334494">@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output div:not(.notheme)>.tmp-color,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output p>.tmp-color,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output table:not(.notheme) .tmp-color{color:inherit!important}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output div:not(.notheme)>.tmp-color,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output p>.tmp-color,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output table:not(.notheme) .tmp-color{color:inherit!important}}</style> Merz has focused on economic, foreign, security, and family policies. He has described himself as <a href="/wiki/Socially_conservative" class="mw-redirect" title="Socially conservative">socially conservative</a> and <a href="/wiki/Economically_liberal" class="mw-redirect" title="Economically liberal">economically liberal</a> and is seen as a representative of the traditional establishment conservative and pro-business wings of the CDU.<a href="#cite_note-Escritt-2018-12">[12]</a> As a young politician in the 1970s and 1980s, he was a staunch supporter of <a href="/wiki/Anti-communism" title="Anti-communism">anti-communism</a>, the dominant state <a href="/wiki/Doctrine" title="Doctrine">doctrine</a> of <a href="/wiki/West_Germany" title="West Germany">West Germany</a> and a core tenet of the CDU. His book Mehr Kapitalismus wagen (<a href="/wiki/Translation" title="Translation">transl</a>: Venturing More Capitalism) advocates economic liberalism. <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Asylum,_migration_and_integration">Asylum, migration and integration</h3></div> Merz says he sees limiting <a href="/wiki/Irregular_migration" title="Irregular migration">irregular migration</a> as the most important task after the <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">2025 German federal election</a>.<a href="#cite_note-74">[74]</a> Merz deems <a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Angela Merkel</a>'s policy of <a href="/wiki/Open_border" title="Open border">open borders</a> during the <a href="/wiki/2015_European_migrant_crisis" title="2015 European migrant crisis">2015 European migrant crisis</a> to be fatal. In 2024, Merz called for asylum seekers to be comprehensively rejected directly at the border.<a href="#cite_note-79">[a]</a> He believes this would send a signal that would lead to less <a href="/wiki/Irregular_migration" title="Irregular migration">irregular migration</a>.<a href="#cite_note-:5-80">[79]</a><a href="#cite_note-81">[80]</a> In a 2024 debate about the capacity to accept refugees into Germany, Merz referred to the statement by <a href="/wiki/Saxony" title="Saxony">Saxony</a>'s Minister-President <a href="/wiki/Michael_Kretschmer" title="Michael Kretschmer">Michael Kretschmer</a>, who had spoken out in favour of accepting a maximum of 60,000–100,000 refugees per year. Merz explained that Kretschmer's statement roughly describes "what we can still achieve today with our integration power."<a href="#cite_note-82">[81]</a> Merz's CDU seeks to speed up visa processing for <a href="/wiki/Immigration_to_Germany#Migration_partnerships" title="Immigration to Germany">foreign skilled workers</a>.<a href="#cite_note-83">[82]</a><a href="#cite_note-reuters-merz-84">[83]</a> In October 2023, following the <a href="/wiki/October_7_Hamas-led_attack_on_Israel" title="October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel">October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel</a>, Merz said Germany could not accept <a href="/wiki/Palestinian_refugees" title="Palestinian refugees">Palestinian refugees</a> from <a href="/wiki/Gaza_Strip" title="Gaza Strip">Gaza</a>, stating, "We have enough <a href="/wiki/Antisemitic" class="mw-redirect" title="Antisemitic">antisemitic</a> young men in the country."<a href="#cite_note-85">[84]</a><a href="#cite_note-86">[85]</a> In December 2024, Merz called for deportations of illegal <a href="/wiki/Syrians_in_Germany" title="Syrians in Germany">Syrian immigrants</a> to <a href="/wiki/Syria" title="Syria">Syria</a> and a freeze on new admissions of refugees. As chancellor, he aims to "regularly deport" people to <a href="/wiki/Afghanistan" title="Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a> and Syria.<a href="#cite_note-87">[86]</a> Referring to the fact that around 80 percent of the 200,000 applicants for <a href="/wiki/Naturalization" title="Naturalization">naturalization</a> in 2024 wanted to keep their first citizenship, Merz intends to abolish the fast naturalization (which made it possible for applicants to obtain <a href="/wiki/German_citizenship" class="mw-redirect" title="German citizenship">German citizenship</a> after living in Germany for three to five years)<a href="#cite_note-88">[87]</a> that the <a href="/wiki/Traffic_light_coalition" title="Traffic light coalition">traffic light coalition</a> implemented in 2024. Weeks before the 2025 election, he also advocated for a <a href="/wiki/Denaturalization" title="Denaturalization">denaturalization</a> (which would require an amendment to the <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany" title="Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany">basic law</a>)<a href="#cite_note-89">[88]</a> in cases in which those with <a href="/wiki/Multiple_citizenship" title="Multiple citizenship">multiple citizenship</a> commit crimes after obtaining German citizenship.<a href="#cite_note-90">[89]</a> After the January <a href="/wiki/2025_Aschaffenburg_stabbing_attack" title="2025 Aschaffenburg stabbing attack">2025 Aschaffenburg stabbing attack</a>, perpetrated by an <a href="/wiki/Afghan" class="mw-disambig" title="Afghan">Afghan</a> migrant who had no <a href="/wiki/Residence_permit" title="Residence permit">residence permits</a> in Germany (and after a series of similar attacks within a few years (<a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_von_Terroranschl%C3%A4gen_in_Deutschland_seit_1945#2024" class="extiw" title="de:Liste von Terroranschlägen in Deutschland seit 1945">de</a>)), Merz called the EU asylum rules—the <a href="/wiki/Dublin_Regulation" title="Dublin Regulation">Dublin</a>, <a href="/wiki/Schengen_Agreement" title="Schengen Agreement">Schengen</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Eurodac" title="Eurodac">Eurodac</a> agreements—"visibly dysfunctional." "Germany must, therefore, make use of its right to the primacy of national law." He announced that under his "leadership, there will be fundamental changes to the right of entry, asylum and residence in the Federal Republic of Germany." Merz said that if he were elected chancellor, on the first day of his term in office, he would instruct the <a href="/wiki/Federal_Ministry_of_the_Interior_(Germany)" title="Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany)">Federal Ministry of the Interior</a> to "permanently control the German state borders," and, "to reject all attempts at illegal entry without exception." There would be "a de facto ban on entry into the Federal Republic of Germany for anyone who does not have valid entry documents."<a href="#cite_note-91">[90]</a><a href="#cite_note-:18-92">[91]</a> He announced a tightening of detention for departure and deportation, and he wants more powers for the <a href="/wiki/Federal_Police_(Germany)" title="Federal Police (Germany)">federal police</a>.<a href="#cite_note-:18-92">[91]</a> Regarding that, the federal police would be given the right to apply for arrest warrants. Those required to leave the country would no longer be allowed to move freely within the country, and the number of places for deportation detention would increase rapidly.<a href="#cite_note-93">[92]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Social_policy">Social policy</h3></div> Merz opposed the <a href="/wiki/B%C3%BCrgergeld" title="Bürgergeld">Bürgergeld</a> (unemployment payment) and, like the CDU,<a href="#cite_note-94">[93]</a> wants to see it abolished and replaced by another system called New Basic Security.<a href="#cite_note-95">[94]</a> The trade union <a href="/wiki/Ver.di" title="Ver.di">ver.di</a> described CDU plans for basic security as "inhumane and unconstitutional".<a href="#cite_note-96">[95]</a> Merz wants to altogether cancel unemployment payments to those who could work but do not. According to Merz, there are 1.7 million recipients who meet that definition.<a href="#cite_note-:5-80">[79]</a><a href="#cite_note-:6-97">[96]</a> Merz has been accused of veering between inclusive rhetoric and <a href="/wiki/Dog_whistling" class="mw-redirect" title="Dog whistling">dog whistling</a>. On a TV talk show, he said that female teachers in German schools were experiencing a lack of respect from "little <a href="/wiki/Pasha" title="Pasha">pashas</a>," apparently referring to sons of <a href="/wiki/Muslims" title="Muslims">Muslim</a> parents, and allegedly made "<a href="/wiki/Xenophobia_in_Germany" class="mw-redirect" title="Xenophobia in Germany">xenophobic</a>" remarks calling rejected asylum seekers "social tourists" who come to Germany to "get their teeth done". Weeks before, Merz had referred to some <a href="/wiki/Ukrainian_refugees" class="mw-redirect" title="Ukrainian refugees">Ukrainian refugees</a> as "welfare tourists" and said that many had come to Germany seeking safety, only to then travel back and forth between both countries after securing social benefits, remarks that he later said he regretted. Merz had also complained about "problems with foreigners" and insisted on a German <a href="/wiki/Leitkultur" title="Leitkultur">Leitkultur</a> (<abbr style="font-size:85%" title="literal translation">lit.</abbr> 'lead culture'), a term that many argue calls for compulsory <a href="/wiki/Assimilation_of_immigrants" class="mw-redirect" title="Assimilation of immigrants">assimilation</a>.<a href="#cite_note-98">[97]</a><a href="#cite_note-99">[98]</a><a href="#cite_note-:16-100">[99]</a><a href="#cite_note-101">[100]</a> In the 1990s, Merz was in the minority even in his conservative CDU when he voted against liberalizing the abortion law, against preimplantation genetic diagnostics and criminalizing <a href="/wiki/Marital_rape" title="Marital rape">marital rape</a>.<a href="#cite_note-:16-100">[99]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Foreign_policy">Foreign policy</h3></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="General_stance">General stance</h4></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_(33874247284).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><noscript><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg/220px-Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="149" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="4568" data-file-height="3104"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 220px;height: 149px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg/220px-Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg" data-width="220" data-height="149" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg/330px-Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg/440px-Director_of_National_Intelligence_Dan_Coats_is_welcomed_to_the_Conference_by_Friedrich_Merz_and_Robert_Kimmitt_%2833874247284%29.jpg 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a><figcaption>Merz with <a href="/wiki/Dan_Coats" title="Dan Coats">Dan Coats</a> and <a href="/wiki/Robert_M._Kimmitt" title="Robert M. Kimmitt">Robert M. Kimmitt</a> at the German-American Conference in Berlin in May 2017</figcaption></figure> Merz is a staunch supporter of the <a href="/wiki/European_Union" title="European Union">European Union</a>, <a href="/wiki/NATO" title="NATO">NATO</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Liberal_international_order" title="Liberal international order">liberal international order</a>. In 2018, he described himself as "a truly convinced European, a convinced transatlanticist, and a German open to the world" and said that "I stand for a cosmopolitan Germany whose roots lie in <a href="/wiki/Christian_ethics" title="Christian ethics">Christian ethics</a> and the European Enlightenment and whose most important political allies are the democracies of <a href="/wiki/Western_Bloc" title="Western Bloc">the West</a>. I gladly use this expression again: The democracies of the West."<a href="#cite_note-102">[101]</a><a href="#cite_note-WELT-2018-14">[14]</a> He advocates a closer union and especially closer relations between Germany and France. In 2018, he co-authored an article in defence of the European project, which among other things called for "an army for Europe."<a href="#cite_note-www.handelsblatt.com-15">[15]</a> Merz is known for hawkish stances on authoritarian countries, in particular Russia and China. In 2023, Merz called for Germany to involve key allies, especially France, in negotiations with <a href="/wiki/China" title="China">China</a> as part of a rethinking of ties with the country that reflected a global "paradigm shift" in security and foreign policy.<a href="#cite_note-103">[102]</a> He called China "an increasing threat to [German] security",<a href="#cite_note-104">[103]</a> and criticized Scholz's decision to allow China's <a href="/wiki/COSCO_Shipping" title="COSCO Shipping">COSCO</a> to take a stake in the <a href="/wiki/Port_of_Hamburg" title="Port of Hamburg">port of Hamburg</a>.<a href="#cite_note-reuters-merz-84">[83]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="United_States">United States</h4></div> Long considered one of the most pro-American politicians in Germany and "exceptionally pro-American for a European leader,"<a href="#cite_note-ind1-13">[13]</a> he has been the chairman of the <a href="/wiki/Atlantik-Br%C3%BCcke" title="Atlantik-Brücke">Atlantik-Brücke</a> association which promotes German-American friendship and <a href="/wiki/Atlanticism" title="Atlanticism">Atlanticism</a>. He counts former US President <a href="/wiki/Ronald_Reagan" title="Ronald Reagan">Ronald Reagan</a> as one of his role models, and has travelled to the US over 100 times.<a href="#cite_note-politic-105">[104]</a> He is critical of the <a href="/wiki/Second_presidency_of_Donald_Trump" title="Second presidency of Donald Trump">Trump administration</a> and has likened the Trump-led United States to Germany's primary adversary, <a href="/wiki/Russia_under_Vladimir_Putin" title="Russia under Vladimir Putin">Putin’s Russia</a>. Merz said the Trump administration does not care about Europe and is aligning with Russia and that the continent must urgently strengthen its defences and potentially even find a replacement for NATO, within months.<a href="#cite_note-auto1-16">[16]</a> Merz has criticized the Trump-led United States for illegal election interference after American government officials tried to bolster a <a href="/wiki/Neo-Nazi" class="mw-redirect" title="Neo-Nazi">neo-Nazi</a> party regarded as extremist by <a href="/wiki/Federal_Office_for_the_Protection_of_the_Constitution" title="Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution">Germany's domestic intelligence agency</a>, comparing it to Russian election interference.<a href="#cite_note-106">[105]</a> Merz has criticized <a href="/wiki/Donald_Trump" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a> more harshly than Angela Merkel did and has especially criticized Trump's trade war against Europe.<a href="#cite_note-107">[106]</a> In fall of 2024 he said with regards to relations to the US and Russia, he would try to make himself "a little more independent from America," as America would be "in election mode" and "not the regulatory power that we were actually used to."<a href="#cite_note-:2-108">[107]</a> When polls during the <a href="/wiki/2024_German_government_crisis" title="2024 German government crisis">2024 German government crisis</a> predicted that Merz would be the most likely to become the next chancellor, he said that Germany "must go from being a sleeping middle power to becoming a leading middle power again". Germany "never really articulated and enforced its interests well enough [...] The aim is not to benefit only one side, but to make arrangements that are good for both sides. Trump would call it a deal".<a href="#cite_note-:6-97">[96]</a> In January 2025 he said regarding the United States, "We Europeans must be united [...] and those who travel to Washington must not only represent their own interests but the interests of the whole European Union“.<a href="#cite_note-:17-109">[108]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Russia_and_its_invasion_of_Ukraine">Russia and its invasion of Ukraine</h4></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><noscript><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg/220px-Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="3000" data-file-height="2001"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 220px;height: 147px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg/220px-Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg" data-width="220" data-height="147" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg/330px-Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg/440px-Volodymyr_Zelenskyy_and_Friedrich_Merz_Discussed_Military_Assistance_and_Steps_to_Establish_a_Just_Peace.jpg 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a><figcaption>Merz with Ukrainian President <a href="/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy" title="Volodymyr Zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a> in Kyiv, Ukraine on 9 December 2024</figcaption></figure> Following the start of the <a href="/wiki/2022_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine" class="mw-redirect" title="2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine">2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine</a>, Merz adopted strong pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian positions, urging Chancellor <a href="/wiki/Olaf_Scholz" title="Olaf Scholz">Olaf Scholz</a> to supply Ukraine with weapons and personally travelling to <a href="/wiki/Kyiv" title="Kyiv">Kyiv</a> in May to meet Ukrainian President <a href="/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy" title="Volodymyr Zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>.<a href="#cite_note-110">[109]</a> While Merz, as opposition leader, had demanded that the <a href="/wiki/Scholz_cabinet" title="Scholz cabinet">German government of Scholz</a> deliver German <a href="/wiki/Taurus_KEPD_350" title="Taurus KEPD 350">Taurus cruise missiles</a> to Ukraine,<a href="#cite_note-111">[110]</a> he himself said that he would not necessarily deliver Taurus cruise missiles if he were chancellor. As chancellor, he would provide them if Russia or Vladimir Putin did not comply with Germany's and other European countries' request to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and on the condition that France and Great Britain, for their part, lift the range limitation on the weapons they delivered to Ukraine. Merz said he would, as chancellor, try to bring about a European decision on the matter of the question of whether to allow Ukraine to strike against targets deep within Russian territory with Western weapons. He said he would also signal <a href="/wiki/Vladimir_Putin" title="Vladimir Putin">Putin</a> his <a href="/wiki/Peace_negotiations_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine" title="Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine">willingness to talk</a> beforehand.<a href="#cite_note-:2-108">[107]</a> In December 2024 he said that Germany is letting Ukraine fight with one arm strapped on its back. Germany should instead give Ukraine the possibility to defend itself effectively with weapons from Germany.<a href="#cite_note-112">[111]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Conflicts_in_the_Middle_East">Conflicts in the Middle East</h4></div> Merz does not see any role for Germany as a mediator in the <a href="/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Palestinian_conflict" title="Israeli–Palestinian conflict">Israeli–Palestinian conflict</a>.<a href="#cite_note-:19-113">[112]</a> However, Merz has opined that the "<a href="/wiki/Two-state_solution" title="Two-state solution">two-state solution</a> remains the right long-term goal for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinians' recognition of Israel's right to exist is a basic prerequisite on the way there.“<a href="#cite_note-114">[113]</a> In 2023, he said, in response to the United States' admonition to Israel to abide by international law, the <a href="/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93United_States_relations" title="Israel–United States relations">US had a different relationship</a> to Israel <a href="/wiki/Germany%E2%80%93Israel_relations" title="Germany–Israel relations">than Germany</a>, and that Germany has an obligation to help the country "without ifs and buts".<a href="#cite_note-:19-113">[112]</a> In October 2024, Merz successfully urged the German government to resume weapons deliveries to Israel, including spare parts for tanks.<a href="#cite_note-115">[114]</a><a href="#cite_note-116">[115]</a> He criticized the <a href="/wiki/International_Criminal_Court" title="International Criminal Court">International Criminal Court</a>'s (ICC) decision to <a href="/wiki/International_Criminal_Court_arrest_warrants_for_Israeli_leaders" title="International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders">issue an arrest warrant</a> for Israeli Prime Minister <a href="/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu" title="Benjamin Netanyahu">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>.<a href="#cite_note-reuters-merz-84">[83]</a> In February 2025, one day after the <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">2025 German federal election</a>, he announced his will to invite Netanyahu to Germany, "as an open challenge" to the decision of the ICC.<a href="#cite_note-117">[116]</a> In December 2024, after the <a href="/wiki/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime" title="Fall of the Assad regime">fall of the Assad regime</a> in <a href="/wiki/Syria" title="Syria">Syria</a>, he called on Europe to strengthen its ties with <a href="/wiki/Turkey" title="Turkey">Turkey</a> "to bring political pacification to this region."<a href="#cite_note-118">[117]</a><a href="#cite_note-119">[118]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Energy_policy">Energy policy</h3></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_(53580910504).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><noscript><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg/220px-EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="233" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="3775" data-file-height="4000"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 220px;height: 233px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg/220px-EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg" data-width="220" data-height="233" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg/330px-EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg/440px-EPP_Congress_Bucharest_-_Day_1_%2853580910504%29.jpg 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a><figcaption>Merz, <a href="/wiki/Ursula_von_der_Leyen" title="Ursula von der Leyen">Ursula von der Leyen</a> and <a href="/wiki/Manfred_Weber" title="Manfred Weber">Manfred Weber</a> at the <a href="/wiki/European_People%27s_Party" title="European People's Party">European People's Party</a> Congress in Bucharest in 2024</figcaption></figure> Merz called the phase-out of <a href="/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_Germany" title="Nuclear power in Germany">nuclear power in Germany</a> a "grave strategic mistake".<a href="#cite_note-120">[119]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Environmental_policy">Environmental policy</h3></div> In April 2023, Merz declared that everyone in the CDU takes the issue of <a href="/wiki/Climate_change" title="Climate change">climate change</a> very seriously. However, he went on to claim that the issue of climate change is overrated in the political debate and that the German population does not see the problem as significant as politicians do. Merz went on to deny that time is running out for successful climate change measures and that the country will be on the right track if it makes the right decisions over the next decade.<a href="#cite_note-121">[120]</a><a href="#cite_note-122">[121]</a> In 2023, Merz opposed the proposed EU <a href="/wiki/Phase-out_of_fossil_fuel_vehicles" title="Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles">phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles</a> and <a href="/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle" title="Hybrid vehicle">hybrid vehicles</a> by 2035, stating that the fight for <a href="/wiki/Net-zero_emissions" title="Net-zero emissions">net-zero emissions</a> "must be achieved with technology and open-mindedness, not bans."<a href="#cite_note-123">[122]</a> He blamed the crisis at <a href="/wiki/Volkswagen" title="Volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> on the Scholz government's focus on <a href="/wiki/Electric_vehicle" title="Electric vehicle">electromobility</a>.<a href="#cite_note-reuters-merz-84">[83]</a> Merz supports a business-friendly adaptation of the <a href="/wiki/European_Green_Deal" title="European Green Deal">European Green Deal</a>.<a href="#cite_note-124">[123]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Approach_towards_the_AfD">Approach towards the AfD</h3></div> In November 2018, he reiterated that the CDU must clearly distance itself from the <a href="/wiki/Alternative_for_Germany" title="Alternative for Germany">Alternative for Germany</a> (AfD), reiterating allegations that the latter is openly <a href="/wiki/National_Socialist" class="mw-redirect" title="National Socialist">National Socialist</a> and has antisemitic undertones.<a href="#cite_note-125">[124]</a> In 2019, he claimed that it was right for the CDU to refuse co-operation with the AfD.<a href="#cite_note-focus-10903897-126">[125]</a> However, in the same year Merz spoke in favour of a "more calm approach" to the AfD: "I would have long since elected an AfD vice president in the <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a> (federal parliament). [...] This party was elected with 12.6 percent. It has neither been banned nor classified as unconstitutional. It has millions of voters behind it who should not be made to play the victim."<a href="#cite_note-focus-10903897-126">[125]</a> In December 2021, shortly before taking over the party chairmanship, he said: "The state associations [of the CDU], especially in the east, are getting a crystal clear message from us: If anyone raises a hand to work with the AfD, then a party exclusion procedure will take place the next day."<a href="#cite_note-:8-127">[126]</a> However, Merz did not take action against the steadily increasing local cooperation between CDU politicians and AfD politicians from the following year onwards, partially due to the AfD's rising electoral performance. In June 2023, he declared that cooperation between the two parties would only be prohibited in "legislative bodies," by which he meant the <a href="/wiki/EU_parliament" class="mw-redirect" title="EU parliament">EU</a>, federal and <a href="/wiki/Landtag" title="Landtag">state levels</a>. A month later, after being criticized over an apparent failure to implement his "announcement" from December 2021, he reiterated his differentiation regarding <a href="/wiki/Administrative_division" title="Administrative division">political levels</a> and claimed that in local parliaments, "of course [...] we must look for ways to jointly shape the city, the state and the district."<a href="#cite_note-128">[127]</a><a href="#cite_note-129">[128]</a><a href="#cite_note-:3-130">[129]</a> Merz was criticized by large parts of his own party, who feared a crumbling of the <a href="/wiki/Firewall_against_the_far-right_in_Germany" title="Firewall against the far-right in Germany">firewall against the far right</a>.<a href="#cite_note-131">[130]</a><a href="#cite_note-:3-130">[129]</a> <a href="/wiki/List_of_minister-presidents_of_Saxony" title="List of minister-presidents of Saxony">Minister-President of Saxony</a>, <a href="/wiki/Michael_Kretschmer" title="Michael Kretschmer">Michael Kretschmer</a> (CDU), however, declared that a refusal of cross-party cooperation in substantive decisions at the local level was not sustainable in a democracy.<a href="#cite_note-132">[131]</a> In June 2023, Merz retracted his promise in 2018 to halve the AfD, claiming that his party in the opposition could not halve the AfD if the government counteracted by "strengthening it" with its policies.<a href="#cite_note-133">[132]</a><a href="#cite_note-134">[133]</a><a href="#cite_note-135">[134]</a> Before the <a href="/wiki/2025_German_federal_election" title="2025 German federal election">federal election</a>, Merz repeatedly ruled out any possibility of a coalition between CDU and AfD.<a href="#cite_note-:17-109">[108]</a><a href="#cite_note-:20-136">[135]</a><a href="#cite_note-137">[136]</a> Merz passionately stated in early January 2025, that under his leadership "there won't be a cooperation between the CDU and the AfD" – stating that the CDU would "sell its soul" in doing so – and that he "ties his destiny as party chairman" to this commitment.<a href="#cite_note-:17-109">[108]</a> The CDU later that month, after <a href="/wiki/2025_Aschaffenburg_stabbing" class="mw-redirect" title="2025 Aschaffenburg stabbing">a deadly knife attack</a> perpetrated by an <a href="/wiki/Afghans" title="Afghans">Afghan</a> migrant, who had no <a href="/wiki/Residence_permit" title="Residence permit">residence permit</a>, issued a motion regarding migration into the federal parliament, which attained a majority due to the AfD voting alongside the CDU.<a href="#cite_note-:18-92">[91]</a><a href="#cite_note-138">[137]</a> With this motion, Merz ignored his own proposal, that he uttered in November 2024, to only put questions to the vote that would find a majority without the AfD.<a href="#cite_note-139">[138]</a><a href="#cite_note-140">[139]</a> Merz claimed that the Union has "not spoken to the AfD, does not discuss things with them", or "compare texts", but that it proposes what it "believes to be right in the matter," insisting that putting a motion to a vote in the Bundestag did not constitute co-operation with the AfD.<a href="#cite_note-:20-136">[135]</a><a href="#cite_note-141">[140]</a> The Bundestag went on to reject the CDU's proposed legislation a few days later, largely due to a dozen CDU legislators abstaining, a decision seen to be sparked by the AfD-related controversy.<a href="#cite_note-142">[141]</a><a href="#cite_note-143">[142]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Secondary_activities_as_a_member_of_federal_parliament">Secondary activities as a member of federal parliament</h3></div> Merz has been known for his many secondary jobs over several legislative periods. As a member of the <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a> (federal parliament of Germany), Merz had a total of 18 secondary jobs in the 14th legislative period (2002–2005)<a href="#cite_note-welt-144">[143]</a> and at least 11 secondary jobs in the 15th legislative period (2005–2009).<a href="#cite_note-145">[144]</a> In 2006 alone, Merz was represented on the boards of eight different companies.<a href="#cite_note-146">[145]</a><a href="#cite_note-:4-147">[146]</a> In 2007, <a href="/wiki/Manager_Magazin" title="Manager Magazin">Manager Magazine</a> wrote about Merz's secondary jobs:<a href="#cite_note-148">[147]</a><a href="#cite_note-:4-147">[146]</a> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1244412712">.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 32px}.mw-parser-output .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;margin-top:0}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .templatequotecite{padding-left:1.6em}}</style><blockquote class="templatequote">Merz probably earns a nice six-figure sum annually for his work in the law firm. For the year 2006, a conservative estimate shows that Merz's additional income, apart from his lawyer's salary, amounts to a quarter of a million euros.</blockquote> His many secondary activities raised concerns over whether Merz takes his mandate as a member of the Bundestag seriously and thoroughly.<a href="#cite_note-149">[148]</a> In 2007, Merz wrote a letter to his voters in an attempt to defend himself against criticism of his secondary activities.<a href="#cite_note-150">[149]</a> In 2021, before the <a href="/wiki/2021_German_federal_election" title="2021 German federal election">federal election</a> and 12 years after he left the Bundestag in 2009, Merz announced that he would no longer pursue any "professional activities outside of politics" if he were to be re-elected to the Bundestag.<a href="#cite_note-151">[150]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Lawsuit_against_transparency_law_or_against_disclosure_of_additional_income">Lawsuit against transparency law or against disclosure of additional income</h3></div> In 2006, there were discussions about conflicts of interest of members of the Bundestag who carried out other activities in addition to their parliamentary mandate. As a result, an agreement was reached that members of parliament should disclose their income from secondary activities to give the public an opportunity to assess whether their representatives may be harmfully dependent and influenced by financial contributions from third parties. Merz, who at that time had 18 secondary activities in addition to his parliamentary work according to one source, 11 according to another source and 14 according to the management of the <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a>,<a href="#cite_note-welt-144">[143]</a><a href="#cite_note-tagesspiegel_2020-02-18-152">[151]</a><a href="#cite_note-153">[152]</a> filed a lawsuit with the <a href="/wiki/Federal_Constitutional_Court" title="Federal Constitutional Court">Federal Constitutional Court</a> together with eight other members of the German Bundestag against the disclosure of their secondary income. At the hearing in October 2006, Merz pointed out that according to Article 38 of the <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany" title="Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany">Basic Law of Germany</a> (constitution), members of parliament are "not bound by instructions and are subject only to their conscience". The President of the Bundestag cannot impose sanctions on members of parliament (MPs) for failing to disclose their secondary income, as such an action could be deemed unconstitutional. It has been argued that the regulation may encourage MPs to pursue career politics, potentially distancing them from real-life experiences. Secondary activities are not prohibited; instead, the regulation focuses on disclosing the number and amount of fees received. In July 2007, the Federal Constitutional Court voted four to four to reject a lawsuit, emphasizing that the political mandate must be central to parliamentary activities and highlighting concerns about potential bias from external payments.<a href="#cite_note-154">[153]</a><a href="#cite_note-155">[154]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Millionaire_and_middle-class_debate">Millionaire and middle-class debate</h3></div> In November 2018, when asked in an interview with the <a href="/wiki/Tabloid_journalism" title="Tabloid journalism">tabloid</a> media <a href="/wiki/Bild" title="Bild">Bild</a>, Merz said that he was a millionaire (without distinguishing between income and wealth millionaires) and thus would belong in his understanding to the upper <a href="/wiki/Middle_class" title="Middle class">middle class</a>. He later specified that he, at that time, earned "around one million euros gross" per year.<a href="#cite_note-:14-156">[155]</a> These statements met with a broad public pushback and sparked wider criticism in Germany.<a href="#cite_note-157">[156]</a><a href="#cite_note-:14-156">[155]</a> Journalists, economists and financial advisors in Germany placed Merz in the upper class.<a href="#cite_note-158">[157]</a> According to the <a href="/wiki/German_Federal_Bank" class="mw-redirect" title="German Federal Bank">German Federal Bank</a>, at the time in question, one was among the top 5 percent in wealth among the German population with a (total) net worth of at least €722,000. Friedrich Merz's private assets include real estate and two aircraft.<a href="#cite_note-159">[158]</a><a href="#cite_note-:13-7">[7]</a><a href="#cite_note-:14-156">[155]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="LGBT+_people">LGBT+ people</h3></div> Merz has made statements about <a href="/wiki/LGBT%2B" class="mw-redirect" title="LGBT+">LGBT+</a> people perceived as insensitive. When asked in 2001 about Berlin's then mayor <a href="/wiki/Klaus_Wowereit" title="Klaus Wowereit">Klaus Wowereit</a> coming out as <a href="/wiki/Gay" title="Gay">gay</a>, he said "as long as he doesn't come near me, I don't care."<a href="#cite_note-160">[159]</a> In November 2018, Merz said that introducing <a href="/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_Germany" title="Same-sex marriage in Germany">same-sex marriage in Germany</a> was the right thing to do.<a href="#cite_note-161">[160]</a> In September 2020, Merz was asked if he would have reservations about a gay chancellor, and said "concerning the question of sexual orientation, as long as it is within the scope of the law and does not concern children — at this point I reach my absolute limits — it is not an issue for public discussion."<a href="#cite_note-162">[161]</a> He clarified after an outcry that he had not meant to link homosexuality with paedophilia.<a href="#cite_note-:16-100">[99]</a> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(7)"><h2 id="Other_activities">Other activities</h2></div><section class="mf-section-7 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-7"> <ul><li>Deutsche Nationalstiftung, Member of the Senate<a href="#cite_note-163">[162]</a></li> <li>Peace of Westphalia Prize, Member of the Jury<a href="#cite_note-164">[163]</a></li> <li>Bayer Foundation for German and International Labor and Business Law, Member of the Board of Trustees (1998–2002)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/KfW" title="KfW">KfW</a>, Member of the supervisory board (2003–2004)<a href="#cite_note-165">[164]</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ludwig_Erhard_Foundation" title="Ludwig Erhard Foundation">Ludwig Erhard Foundation</a>, Member (1998–2005)</li></ul> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(8)"><h2 id="Personal_life">Personal life</h2></div><section class="mf-section-8 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-8"> Friedrich Merz is married to <a href="/wiki/Judge" title="Judge">judge</a> Charlotte Merz. He has three children and resides in <a href="/wiki/Arnsberg" title="Arnsberg">Arnsberg</a> in the <a href="/wiki/Sauerland" title="Sauerland">Sauerland</a> region.<a href="#cite_note-166">[165]</a><a href="#cite_note-167">[166]</a> In 2005, the couple established the Friedrich und Charlotte Merz Stiftung, a foundation supporting projects in the education sector.<a href="#cite_note-168">[167]</a> In 2018, Merz rejected the Ludwig Erhard Prize, citing objections to publications by the chairman of the <a href="/wiki/Ludwig_Erhard_Foundation" title="Ludwig Erhard Foundation">Ludwig Erhard Foundation</a>, <a href="/wiki/Roland_Tichy" title="Roland Tichy">Roland Tichy</a>, considered by some to be on the extreme right.<a href="#cite_note-faz-aerger-169">[168]</a> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(9)"><h2 id="Book">Book</h2></div><section class="mf-section-9 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-9"> <ul><li><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFFriedrich_Merz2008" class="citation book cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Friedrich Merz</a> (2008). Mehr Kapitalismus wagen: Wege zu einer gerechten Gesellschaft (in German). Munich: <a href="/wiki/Piper_Verlag" title="Piper Verlag">Piper Verlag</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-492-05157-6" title="Special:BookSources/978-3-492-05157-6"><bdi>978-3-492-05157-6</bdi></a>. <a href="/wiki/LCCN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="LCCN (identifier)">LCCN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://lccn.loc.gov/2010514604">2010514604</a>. <a href="/wiki/OCLC_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="OCLC (identifier)">OCLC</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/634130092">634130092</a>. <a href="/wiki/OL_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="OL (identifier)">OL</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24354103M">24354103M</a>. <a href="/wiki/WDQ_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="WDQ (identifier)">Wikidata</a> <a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130425553" class="extiw" title="d:Q130425553">Q130425553</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Mehr+Kapitalismus+wagen%3A+Wege+zu+einer+gerechten+Gesellschaft&rft.place=Munich&rft.pub=Piper+Verlag&rft.date=2008&rft_id=info%3Aoclcnum%2F634130092&rft_id=info%3Alccn%2F2010514604&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fopenlibrary.org%2Fbooks%2FOL24354103M%23id-name%3DOL&rft.isbn=978-3-492-05157-6&rft.au=Friedrich+Merz&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"></li></ul> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(10)"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2></div><section class="mf-section-10 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-10"> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist reflist-lower-alpha"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-79"><a href="#cite_ref-79">^</a> The right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution is a human right, as defined in article 14 of the <a href="/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights" title="Universal Declaration of Human Rights">Universal Declaration of Human Rights</a> by the <a href="/wiki/United_Nations" title="United Nations">United Nations</a> (UN).<a href="#cite_note-75">[75]</a> Germany became a full <a href="/wiki/Germany_and_the_United_Nations" title="Germany and the United Nations">member of the UN on 18 September 1973</a>. Furthermore, article 16a of the <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany" title="Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany">German constitution</a> states that politically persecuted persons have the right to asylum (Politisch Verfolgte genießen Asylrecht),<a href="#cite_note-gg16a-76">[76]</a> and as Chancellor of Germany, Merz would be sworn to "uphold and defend the constitution" ("das Grundgesetz [...] wahren und verteidigen"),<a href="#cite_note-gg56-77">[77]</a> as set out in article 56 of that same constitution, just like <a href="/wiki/Olaf_Scholz" title="Olaf Scholz">Olaf Scholz</a>, the previous Chancellor of Germany, had.<a href="#cite_note-78">[78]</a> </li> </ol></div></div> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(11)"><h2 id="References">References</h2></div><section class="mf-section-11 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-11"> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239543626"><div class="reflist reflist-columns references-column-width" style="column-width: 30em;"> <ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/german-exit-polls-clear-win-171847620.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall">"German exit polls: Clear win for Merz's centre-right CDU/CSU"</a>. Yahoo News. 23 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Yahoo+News&rft.atitle=German+exit+polls%3A+Clear+win+for+Merz%27s+centre-right+CDU%2FCSU&rft.date=2025-02-23&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Fgerman-exit-polls-clear-win-171847620.html%3Ffr%3Dyhssrp_catchall&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTanno2025" class="citation news cs1">Tanno, Sophie (23 February 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/23/europe/german-election-results-cdu-afd-intl/index.html">"Merz claims win for German conservatives as far right surges to strongest postwar election result"</a>. CNN.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Merz+claims+win+for+German+conservatives+as+far+right+surges+to+strongest+postwar+election+result&rft.date=2025-02-23&rft.aulast=Tanno&rft.aufirst=Sophie&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2025%2F02%2F23%2Feurope%2Fgerman-election-results-cdu-afd-intl%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHuggler2018" class="citation news cs1">Huggler, Justin (31 October 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/31/merkel-rival-friedrich-merz-emerges-surprise-early-frontrunner/">"Merkel rival Friedrich Merz emerges as surprise early frontrunner to succeed chancellor"</a>. The Telegraph. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181031164702/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/31/merkel-rival-friedrich-merz-emerges-surprise-early-frontrunner/">Archived</a> from the original on 31 October 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Telegraph&rft.atitle=Merkel+rival+Friedrich+Merz+emerges+as+surprise+early+frontrunner+to+succeed+chancellor&rft.date=2018-10-31&rft.aulast=Huggler&rft.aufirst=Justin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2018%2F10%2F31%2Fmerkel-rival-friedrich-merz-emerges-surprise-early-frontrunner%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:7-4">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:7_4-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:7_4-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:7_4-2">c</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNeukirchSchult2003" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Neukirch, Ralf; Schult, Christoph (29 June 2003). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155">"Der Männerbund"</a> [The Men's Association]. Der Spiegel (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240902061345/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/der-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155">Archived</a> from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Der+M%C3%A4nnerbund&rft.date=2003-06-29&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft.aulast=Neukirch&rft.aufirst=Ralf&rft.au=Schult%2C+Christoph&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fder-maennerbund-a-2475e027-0002-0001-0000-000027497155&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:15-5">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:15_5-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:15_5-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWeiland2007" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Weiland, Severin (8 February 2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/enthuellung-wie-merkels-und-merz-feindschaft-begann-a-465136.html">"Enthüllung: Wie Merkels und Merz' Feindschaft begann"</a> [Revelations: How Merkel and Merz's enmity began]. Der Spiegel (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240828133519/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/enthuellung-wie-merkels-und-merz-feindschaft-begann-a-465136.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Enth%C3%BCllung%3A+Wie+Merkels+und+Merz%27+Feindschaft+begann&rft.date=2007-02-08&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft.aulast=Weiland&rft.aufirst=Severin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fenthuellung-wie-merkels-und-merz-feindschaft-begann-a-465136.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSorge2014" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Sorge, Nils-Viktor (20 May 2014). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.manager-magazin.de/politik/deutschland/ex-cdu-star-friedrich-merz-und-der-karriereknick-a-970377.html">"Ex-CDU-Star Friedrich Merz: Ganz unten"</a> [Ex CDU star Friedrich Merz and the career setback]. manager-magazin.de (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140523034836/https://www.manager-magazin.de/politik/deutschland/ex-cdu-star-friedrich-merz-und-der-karriereknick-a-970377.html">Archived</a> from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=manager-magazin.de&rft.atitle=Ex-CDU-Star+Friedrich+Merz%3A+Ganz+unten&rft.date=2014-05-20&rft.aulast=Sorge&rft.aufirst=Nils-Viktor&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manager-magazin.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fex-cdu-star-friedrich-merz-und-der-karriereknick-a-970377.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:13-7">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:13_7-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:13_7-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/hat-friedrich-merz-wirklich-zwei-flugzeuge--8467946.html">"Hat Friedrich Merz wirklich zwei Flugzeuge?"</a> [Does Friedrich Merz really have two planes?]. stern.de (in German). 28 November 2018. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181128142328/https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/hat-friedrich-merz-wirklich-zwei-flugzeuge--8467946.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 November 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=stern.de&rft.atitle=Hat+Friedrich+Merz+wirklich+zwei+Flugzeuge%3F&rft.date=2018-11-28&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stern.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fhat-friedrich-merz-wirklich-zwei-flugzeuge--8467946.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Berlin-2018-8">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Berlin-2018_8-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Berlin-2018_8-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Berlin-2018_8-2">c</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBraun2018" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Braun, Stefan (2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532">"Die große Zeitenwende ist eine Chance für die CDU"</a> [The great turning point is an opportunity for the CDU]. <a href="/wiki/S%C3%BCddeutsche_Zeitung" title="Süddeutsche Zeitung">Süddeutsche Zeitung</a> (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0174-4917">0174-4917</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152615/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532">Archived</a> from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=S%C3%BCddeutsche+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Die+gro%C3%9Fe+Zeitenwende+ist+eine+Chance+f%C3%BCr+die+CDU&rft.date=2018&rft.issn=0174-4917&rft.aulast=Braun&rft.aufirst=Stefan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sueddeutsche.de%2Fpolitik%2Fmerkel-cdu-bundesregierung-1.4189532&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Connolly-2018-9">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Connolly-2018_9-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Connolly-2018_9-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFConnolly2018" class="citation news cs1">Connolly, Kate (7 December 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/07/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-elected-merkels-successor-as-christian-democrat-leader">"Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer elected Merkel's successor as CDU leader"</a>. The Guardian. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181207190109/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/07/annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-elected-merkels-successor-as-christian-democrat-leader">Archived</a> from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Annegret+Kramp-Karrenbauer+elected+Merkel%27s+successor+as+CDU+leader&rft.date=2018-12-07&rft.aulast=Connolly&rft.aufirst=Kate&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2018%2Fdec%2F07%2Fannegret-kramp-karrenbauer-elected-merkels-successor-as-christian-democrat-leader&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-tagesschau.de-2021-10"><a href="#cite_ref-tagesschau.de-2021_10-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html">"Laschet zum neuen CDU-Chef gewählt"</a> [Laschet elected new CDU leader]. tagesschau.de (in German). 16 January 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210116105000/https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=Laschet+zum+neuen+CDU-Chef+gew%C3%A4hlt&rft.date=2021-01-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Feilmeldung%2Fcdu-laschet-111.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Associated_Press-2021-11"><a href="#cite_ref-Associated_Press-2021_11-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183">"Pragmatic governor Laschet elected to lead Merkel's party"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Associated_Press" title="Associated Press">Associated Press</a>. 16 January 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210116103311/https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183">Archived</a> from the original on 16 January 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Pragmatic+governor+Laschet+elected+to+lead+Merkel%27s+party&rft.pub=Associated+Press&rft.date=2021-01-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Fangela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Escritt-2018-12">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Escritt-2018_12-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Escritt-2018_12-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFEscritt2018" class="citation news cs1">Escritt, Thomas (31 October 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics/conservative-contenders-vie-to-overturn-merkels-centrism-idUSKCN1N51CT">"Conservative contenders vie to overturn Merkel's centrism"</a>. Reuters. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181031204533/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics/conservative-contenders-vie-to-overturn-merkels-centrism-idUSKCN1N51CT">Archived</a> from the original on 31 October 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Reuters&rft.atitle=Conservative+contenders+vie+to+overturn+Merkel%27s+centrism&rft.date=2018-10-31&rft.aulast=Escritt&rft.aufirst=Thomas&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Farticle%2Fus-germany-politics%2Fconservative-contenders-vie-to-overturn-merkels-centrism-idUSKCN1N51CT&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-ind1-13">^ <a href="#cite_ref-ind1_13-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ind1_13-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-election-merz-chancellor-weidel-who-cdu-b2703412.html">"Friedrich Merz: Who is Germany's election winner and how will he fare against AfD leader Alice Weidel?"</a>. The Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Independent&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+Who+is+Germany%E2%80%99s+election+winner+and+how+will+he+fare+against+AfD+leader+Alice+Weidel%3F&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fgermany-election-merz-chancellor-weidel-who-cdu-b2703412.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-WELT-2018-14">^ <a href="#cite_ref-WELT-2018_14-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-WELT-2018_14-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article183054050/Merz-will-CDU-Chef-werden-Wir-brauchen-Aufbruch-und-Erneuerung-keinen-Umsturz.html">"Merz will CDU-Chef werden: 'Wir brauchen Aufbruch und Erneuerung, keinen Umsturz'"</a> [Merz wants to become CDU leader: 'We need a new beginning and renewal, not a coup']. <a href="/wiki/Die_Welt" title="Die Welt">Die Welt</a> (in German). 31 October 2018. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181101014503/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article183054050/Merz-will-CDU-Chef-werden-Wir-brauchen-Aufbruch-und-Erneuerung-keinen-Umsturz.html">Archived</a> from the original on 1 November 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Die+Welt&rft.atitle=Merz+will+CDU-Chef+werden%3A+%27Wir+brauchen+Aufbruch+und+Erneuerung%2C+keinen+Umsturz%27&rft.date=2018-10-31&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Farticle183054050%2FMerz-will-CDU-Chef-werden-Wir-brauchen-Aufbruch-und-Erneuerung-keinen-Umsturz.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-www.handelsblatt.com-15">^ <a href="#cite_ref-www.handelsblatt.com_15-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-www.handelsblatt.com_15-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123542/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/opinion/time-to-wake-up-we-are-deeply-concerned-about-the-future-of-europe-and-germany/23583722.html">"Time to wake up: We are deeply concerned about the future of Europe and Germany"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Handelsblatt" title="Handelsblatt">Handelsblatt</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/opinion/time-to-wake-up-we-are-deeply-concerned-about-the-future-of-europe-and-germany/23583722.html">the original</a> on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Handelsblatt&rft.atitle=Time+to+wake+up%3A+We+are+deeply+concerned+about+the+future+of+Europe+and+Germany&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.handelsblatt.com%2Ftoday%2Fopinion%2Ftime-to-wake-up-we-are-deeply-concerned-about-the-future-of-europe-and-germany%2F23583722.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-auto1-16">^ <a href="#cite_ref-auto1_16-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-auto1_16-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-germany-election-united-states-donald-trump-nato/">"Germany's Merz vows 'independence' from Trump's America, warning NATO may soon be dead"</a>. Politico. Retrieved 24 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Politico&rft.atitle=Germany%27s+Merz+vows+%27independence%27+from+Trump%27s+America%2C+warning+NATO+may+soon+be+dead&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.eu%2Farticle%2Ffriedrich-merz-germany-election-united-states-donald-trump-nato%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Lohse-17">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Lohse_17-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Lohse_17-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLohse" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Lohse, Eckart. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/1.5867546">"Friedrich Merz: Dieser Kandidat passt nicht auf einen Bierdeckel"</a> [Friedrich Merz: this candidate does not fit onto a drink coaster]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181104004201/https://www.faz.net/1.5867546">Archived</a> from the original on 4 November 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+Dieser+Kandidat+passt+nicht+auf+einen+Bierdeckel&rft.aulast=Lohse&rft.aufirst=Eckart&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2F1.5867546&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-18"><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.welt.de/politik/article698654/Friedrich-Merz-Vater-verlaesst-die-CDU-im-Groll.html">"Parteien: Friedrich Merz' Vater verlässt die CDU im Groll"</a> [Parties: Friedrich Merz's father leaves the CDU in anger]. <a href="/wiki/Die_Welt" title="Die Welt">Die Welt</a> (in German). 12 February 2007. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210303151057/https://www.welt.de/politik/article698654/Friedrich-Merz-Vater-verlaesst-die-CDU-im-Groll.html">Archived</a> from the original on 3 March 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Die+Welt&rft.atitle=Parteien%3A+Friedrich+Merz%27+Vater+verl%C3%A4sst+die+CDU+im+Groll&rft.date=2007-02-12&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fpolitik%2Farticle698654%2FFriedrich-Merz-Vater-verlaesst-die-CDU-im-Groll.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-19"><a href="#cite_ref-19">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ft.com/content/4dcf2099-152b-45bf-acbb-811ea638ca2c">"Can Friedrich Merz still fix Germany?"</a>. FT. Retrieved 24 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Can+Friedrich+Merz+still+fix+Germany%3F&rft.pub=FT&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcontent%2F4dcf2099-152b-45bf-acbb-811ea638ca2c&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:9-20"><a href="#cite_ref-:9_20-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.munzinger.de/document/00000022889">"Friedrich Merz profile"</a>. Munzinger Online. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200228150609/http://www.munzinger.de/document/00000022889">Archived</a> from the original on 28 February 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Munzinger+Online&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+profile&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.munzinger.de%2Fdocument%2F00000022889&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:10-21"><a href="#cite_ref-:10_21-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation book cs1">"Sauvigny". <a href="/wiki/Deutsches_Geschlechterbuch" title="Deutsches Geschlechterbuch">Deutsches Geschlechterbuch</a>. Vol. 38.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Sauvigny&rft.btitle=Deutsches+Geschlechterbuch&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:11-22"><a href="#cite_ref-:11_22-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://taz.de/Merz-bejubelt-rechten-Grossvater/!806584/">"Merz bejubelt rechten Großvater"</a> [Merz applauds right-wing grandfather]. Die Tageszeitung: Taz (in German). 16 January 2004. p. 1. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201004170901/https://taz.de/Merz-bejubelt-rechten-Grossvater/!806584/">Archived</a> from the original on 4 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Die+Tageszeitung%3A+Taz&rft.atitle=Merz+bejubelt+rechten+Gro%C3%9Fvater&rft.pages=1&rft.date=2004-01-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftaz.de%2FMerz-bejubelt-rechten-Grossvater%2F%21806584%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:12-23"><a href="#cite_ref-:12_23-0">^</a> Claus Jacobi, Im Rad der Geschichte: Deutsche Verhältnisse, pg. 166, Herbig, 2002. </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/elternhaus-von-friedrich-merz-in-brilon-nun-vor-dem-verkauf-id233857987.html">"Elternhaus von Friedrich Merz in Brilon nun vor dem Verkauf?"</a> [Friedrich Merz's parents' house in Brilon now up for sale?] (in German). 16 November 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211118012548/https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/elternhaus-von-friedrich-merz-in-brilon-nun-vor-dem-verkauf-id233857987.html">Archived</a> from the original on 18 November 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Elternhaus+von+Friedrich+Merz+in+Brilon+nun+vor+dem+Verkauf%3F&rft.date=2021-11-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wp.de%2Fstaedte%2Faltkreis-brilon%2Felternhaus-von-friedrich-merz-in-brilon-nun-vor-dem-verkauf-id233857987.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/brilon-wer-hat-das-kleingeld-fuer-dieses-kleinod-id233653161.html">"Brilon: Wer hat das Kleingeld für dieses Kleinod?"</a> [Brilon: Who has the change for this gem?] (in German). 22 October 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220124130219/https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/brilon-wer-hat-das-kleingeld-fuer-dieses-kleinod-id233653161.html">Archived</a> from the original on 24 January 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Brilon%3A+Wer+hat+das+Kleingeld+f%C3%BCr+dieses+Kleinod%3F&rft.date=2021-10-22&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wp.de%2Fstaedte%2Faltkreis-brilon%2Fbrilon-wer-hat-das-kleingeld-fuer-dieses-kleinod-id233653161.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-26"><a href="#cite_ref-26">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/40-jahre-zivildienst-haben-sie-eigentlich-gedient-herr-merz-a-126706.html">"Haben Sie eigentlich gedient, Herr Merz?"</a> [Have you actually served, Mr. Merz?]. <a href="/wiki/Der_Spiegel" title="Der Spiegel">Der Spiegel</a> (in German). 5 April 2001. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240630104954/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/40-jahre-zivildienst-haben-sie-eigentlich-gedient-herr-merz-a-126706.html">Archived</a> from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Haben+Sie+eigentlich+gedient%2C+Herr+Merz%3F&rft.date=2001-04-05&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2F40-jahre-zivildienst-haben-sie-eigentlich-gedient-herr-merz-a-126706.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><a href="#cite_ref-27">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052330/https://www.atlantik-bruecke.org/die-atlantik-bruecke/vorstand/friedrich-merz/">"Friedrich Merz – Atlantik-Brücke e.V."</a> Atlantik-Brücke e.V. (in German). Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.atlantik-bruecke.org/die-atlantik-bruecke/vorstand/friedrich-merz/">the original</a> on 31 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Atlantik-Br%C3%BCcke+e.V.&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+%E2%80%93+Atlantik-Br%C3%BCcke+e.V.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.atlantik-bruecke.org%2Fdie-atlantik-bruecke%2Fvorstand%2Ffriedrich-merz%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-28"><a href="#cite_ref-28">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/people/m/merz-friedrich?tab=overview">"Friedrich Merz, Senior Counsel"</a>. Mayer Brown. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200706091038/https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/people/m/merz-friedrich?tab=overview">Archived</a> from the original on 6 July 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Mayer+Brown&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%2C+Senior+Counsel&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayerbrown.com%2Fen%2Fpeople%2Fm%2Fmerz-friedrich%3Ftab%3Doverview&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-29"><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wahlkampf-stoiber-team-ohne-kompetenz-bei-den-staatsfinanzen-a-178384.html">"Wahlkampf: Stoiber-Team ohne Kompetenz bei den Staatsfinanzen"</a> [Election campaign: Stoiber team lacks competence in public finances]. <a href="/wiki/Spiegel_Online" class="mw-redirect" title="Spiegel Online">Spiegel Online</a>. 22 January 2002. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160415060313/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/wahlkampf-stoiber-team-ohne-kompetenz-bei-den-staatsfinanzen-a-178384.html">Archived</a> from the original on 15 April 2016.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Spiegel+Online&rft.atitle=Wahlkampf%3A+Stoiber-Team+ohne+Kompetenz+bei+den+Staatsfinanzen&rft.date=2002-01-22&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fwahlkampf-stoiber-team-ohne-kompetenz-bei-den-staatsfinanzen-a-178384.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><a href="#cite_ref-30">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSchumacher2005" class="citation news cs1">Schumacher, Hajo (3 November 2005). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/union-anden-pakt-nimmt-friedrich-merz-auf-a-382963.html">"Union: 'Anden-Pakt' nimmt Friedrich Merz auf"</a> [Union: "Andean Pact" accepts Friedrich Merz]. <a href="/wiki/Der_Spiegel" title="Der Spiegel">Der Spiegel</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121122115948/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/union-anden-pakt-nimmt-friedrich-merz-auf-a-382963.html">Archived</a> from the original on 22 November 2012 – via Spiegel Online.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Union%3A+%27Anden-Pakt%27+nimmt+Friedrich+Merz+auf&rft.date=2005-11-03&rft.aulast=Schumacher&rft.aufirst=Hajo&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Funion-anden-pakt-nimmt-friedrich-merz-auf-a-382963.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-31"><a href="#cite_ref-31">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPohlmann2006" class="citation news cs1">Pohlmann, Sonja (11 October 2006). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/nebenjobs-abgeordnete-klagen-gegen-transparente-politiker-gehaelter-a-441894.html">"Nebenjobs: Abgeordnete klagen gegen transparente Politiker-Gehälter"</a> [Second jobs: MPs sue against transparent politicians' salaries]. <a href="/wiki/Der_Spiegel" title="Der Spiegel">Der Spiegel</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121111031322/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/nebenjobs-abgeordnete-klagen-gegen-transparente-politiker-gehaelter-a-441894.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2012.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Nebenjobs%3A+Abgeordnete+klagen+gegen+transparente+Politiker-Geh%C3%A4lter&rft.date=2006-10-11&rft.aulast=Pohlmann&rft.aufirst=Sonja&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fnebenjobs-abgeordnete-klagen-gegen-transparente-politiker-gehaelter-a-441894.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><a href="#cite_ref-32">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120406104045/http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=M480617703">"Friedrich Merz"</a>. mayerbrown.com. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=M480617703">the original</a> on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2011.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=mayerbrown.com&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayerbrown.com%2Flawyers%2Fprofile.asp%3Fhubbardid%3DM480617703&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRiedel2004" class="citation cs2">Riedel, Donata (23 December 2004), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120223145514/https://www.handelsblatt.com/archiv/nicht-suechtig-nach-politik-friedrich-merz;838562">"Nicht süchtig nach Politik: Friedrich Merz"</a> [Not addicted to politics: Friedrich Merz], <a href="/wiki/Handelsblatt" title="Handelsblatt">Handelsblatt</a>, archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/archiv/nicht-suechtig-nach-politik-friedrich-merz;838562">the original</a> on 23 February 2012</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Handelsblatt&rft.atitle=Nicht+s%C3%BCchtig+nach+Politik%3A+Friedrich+Merz&rft.date=2004-12-23&rft.aulast=Riedel&rft.aufirst=Donata&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.handelsblatt.com%2Farchiv%2Fnicht-suechtig-nach-politik-friedrich-merz%3B838562&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><a href="#cite_ref-34">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200228160136/https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/politics/long-march-the-man-who-would-be-chancellor-merzs-delayed-political-comeback/23583798.html">"Long march: The man who would be chancellor: Merz's delayed political comeback"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Handelsblatt" title="Handelsblatt">Handelsblatt</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/today/politics/long-march-the-man-who-would-be-chancellor-merzs-delayed-political-comeback/23583798.html">the original</a> on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Handelsblatt&rft.atitle=Long+march%3A+The+man+who+would+be+chancellor%3A+Merz%27s+delayed+political+comeback&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.handelsblatt.com%2Ftoday%2Fpolitics%2Flong-march-the-man-who-would-be-chancellor-merzs-delayed-political-comeback%2F23583798.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-auto-35">^ <a href="#cite_ref-auto_35-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-auto_35-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMinister-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia2017" class="citation web cs1"><a href="/wiki/List_of_Ministers-President_of_North_Rhine-Westphalia" class="mw-redirect" title="List of Ministers-President of North Rhine-Westphalia">Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia</a> (7 November 2017). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.land.nrw/de/pressemitteilung/ministerpraesident-armin-laschet-beruft-friedrich-merz-zum-beauftragten-fuer-die">"Ministerpräsident Armin Laschet beruft Friedrich Merz zum Beauftragten für die Folgen des Brexits und die transatlantischen Beziehungen"</a> [Minister-President Armin Laschet appoints Friedrich Merz as Commissioner for the Consequences of Brexit and Transatlantic Relations]. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171108205419/https://www.land.nrw/de/pressemitteilung/ministerpraesident-armin-laschet-beruft-friedrich-merz-zum-beauftragten-fuer-die">Archived</a> from the original on 8 November 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Ministerpr%C3%A4sident+Armin+Laschet+beruft+Friedrich+Merz+zum+Beauftragten+f%C3%BCr+die+Folgen+des+Brexits+und+die+transatlantischen+Beziehungen&rft.date=2017-11-07&rft.au=Minister-President+of+North+Rhine-Westphalia&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.land.nrw%2Fde%2Fpressemitteilung%2Fministerpraesident-armin-laschet-beruft-friedrich-merz-zum-beauftragten-fuer-die&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-36"><a href="#cite_ref-36">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCorinna_Schulz2020" class="citation web cs1">Corinna Schulz (18 December 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ksta.de/wirtschaft/flughafen-koeln-bonn-friedrich-merz-tritt-als-aufsichtsratschef-zurueck-37838896?cb=1608379681">"074 Flughafen Köln/Bonn Friedrich Merz tritt als Aufsichtsratschef zurück"</a> [074 Cologne/Bonn Airport Friedrich Merz resigns as Chairman of the Supervisory Board]. <a href="/wiki/K%C3%B6lner_Stadt-Anzeiger" title="Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger">Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211008164154/https://www.ksta.de/wirtschaft/flughafen-koeln-bonn-friedrich-merz-tritt-als-aufsichtsratschef-zurueck-37838896?cb=1608379681074">Archived</a> from the original on 8 October 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=K%C3%B6lner+Stadt-Anzeiger&rft.atitle=074+Flughafen+K%C3%B6ln%2FBonn+Friedrich+Merz+tritt+als+Aufsichtsratschef+zur%C3%BCck&rft.date=2020-12-18&rft.au=Corinna+Schulz&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ksta.de%2Fwirtschaft%2Fflughafen-koeln-bonn-friedrich-merz-tritt-als-aufsichtsratschef-zurueck-37838896%3Fcb%3D1608379681&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-37"><a href="#cite_ref-37">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFEyk_Henning2016" class="citation news cs1">Eyk Henning (17 January 2016). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackrock-hires-former-merkel-deputy-for-its-german-operations-1453054735">"BlackRock Hires Former Merkel Deputy for Its German Operations"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Wall_Street_Journal" class="mw-redirect" title="Wall Street Journal">Wall Street Journal</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160118040737/https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackrock-hires-former-merkel-deputy-for-its-german-operations-1453054735">Archived</a> from the original on 18 January 2016.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Wall+Street+Journal&rft.atitle=BlackRock+Hires+Former+Merkel+Deputy+for+Its+German+Operations&rft.date=2016-01-17&rft.au=Eyk+Henning&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsj.com%2Farticles%2Fblackrock-hires-former-merkel-deputy-for-its-german-operations-1453054735&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRobert_Landgraf2020" class="citation web cs1">Robert Landgraf (3 June 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/vermoegensverwalter-blackrock-findet-nachfolger-fuer-friedrich-merz/25881544.html">"Blackrock findet Nachfolger für Friedrich Merz"</a> [Blackrock finds successor for Friedrich Merz]. <a href="/wiki/Handelsblatt" title="Handelsblatt">Handelsblatt</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200612005709/https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/vermoegensverwalter-blackrock-findet-nachfolger-fuer-friedrich-merz/25881544.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 June 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Handelsblatt&rft.atitle=Blackrock+findet+Nachfolger+f%C3%BCr+Friedrich+Merz&rft.date=2020-06-03&rft.au=Robert+Landgraf&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.handelsblatt.com%2Ffinanzen%2Fbanken-versicherungen%2Fvermoegensverwalter-blackrock-findet-nachfolger-fuer-friedrich-merz%2F25881544.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-39"><a href="#cite_ref-39">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRobert_Landgraf2006" class="citation web cs1">Robert Landgraf (28 March 2006). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/management/maschinenbau-merz-im-verwaltungsrat-der-schweizer-stadler-rail-group/2634392.html">"Merz im Verwaltungsrat der Schweizer Stadler Rail Group"</a> [Merz on the Board of Directors of the Swiss Stadler Rail Group]. <a href="/wiki/Handelsblatt" title="Handelsblatt">Handelsblatt</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171108152120/https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/management/maschinenbau-merz-im-verwaltungsrat-der-schweizer-stadler-rail-group/2634392.html">Archived</a> from the original on 8 November 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Handelsblatt&rft.atitle=Merz+im+Verwaltungsrat+der+Schweizer+Stadler+Rail+Group&rft.date=2006-03-28&rft.au=Robert+Landgraf&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.handelsblatt.com%2Funternehmen%2Fmanagement%2Fmaschinenbau-merz-im-verwaltungsrat-der-schweizer-stadler-rail-group%2F2634392.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-40"><a href="#cite_ref-40">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRobert_Landgraf2020" class="citation web cs1">Robert Landgraf (20 February 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.stadlerrail.com/en/media/article/friedrich-merz-stellt-sich-nicht-mehr-zur-wiederwahl-als-verwaltungsrat-bei-stadler/712/">"Friedrich Merz stellt sich nicht mehr zur Wiederwahl als Verwaltungsrat bei Stadler"</a> [Friedrich Merz will not stand for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors at Stadler]. <a href="/wiki/Stadler_Rail" title="Stadler Rail">Stadler Rail</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200928180528/https://www.stadlerrail.com/en/media/article/friedrich-merz-stellt-sich-nicht-mehr-zur-wiederwahl-als-verwaltungsrat-bei-stadler/712/">Archived</a> from the original on 28 September 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Stadler+Rail&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+stellt+sich+nicht+mehr+zur+Wiederwahl+als+Verwaltungsrat+bei+Stadler&rft.date=2020-02-20&rft.au=Robert+Landgraf&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stadlerrail.com%2Fen%2Fmedia%2Farticle%2Ffriedrich-merz-stellt-sich-nicht-mehr-zur-wiederwahl-als-verwaltungsrat-bei-stadler%2F712%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-41"><a href="#cite_ref-41">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMax_Haerder2020" class="citation web cs1">Max Haerder (20 February 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wiwo.de/politik/deutschland/nach-blackrock-rueckzug-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-stadler-aufsichtsrat/25563856.html">"Nach Blackrock-Rückzug: Friedrich Merz verlässt Stadler-Aufsichtsrat"</a> [After Blackrock withdrawal: Friedrich Merz leaves Stadler supervisory board]. <a href="/wiki/Wirtschaftswoche" title="Wirtschaftswoche">Wirtschaftswoche</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200806013530/https://www.wiwo.de/politik/deutschland/nach-blackrock-rueckzug-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-stadler-aufsichtsrat/25563856.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 August 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Wirtschaftswoche&rft.atitle=Nach+Blackrock-R%C3%BCckzug%3A+Friedrich+Merz+verl%C3%A4sst+Stadler-Aufsichtsrat&rft.date=2020-02-20&rft.au=Max+Haerder&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiwo.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fnach-blackrock-rueckzug-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-stadler-aufsichtsrat%2F25563856.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-42"><a href="#cite_ref-42">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFelix_Holtermann2019" class="citation news cs1">Felix Holtermann (12 April 2019). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/cdu-politiker-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-hsbc-aufsichtsrat/24215670.html">"Friedrich Merz verlässt HSBC-Aufsichtsrat"</a> [Friedrich Merz leaves HSBC supervisory board]. <a href="/wiki/Handelsblatt" title="Handelsblatt">Handelsblatt</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190413011415/https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/banken-versicherungen/cdu-politiker-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-hsbc-aufsichtsrat/24215670.html">Archived</a> from the original on 13 April 2019.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Handelsblatt&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+verl%C3%A4sst+HSBC-Aufsichtsrat&rft.date=2019-04-12&rft.au=Felix+Holtermann&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.handelsblatt.com%2Ffinanzen%2Fbanken-versicherungen%2Fcdu-politiker-friedrich-merz-verlaesst-hsbc-aufsichtsrat%2F24215670.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-43"><a href="#cite_ref-43">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFelix_Holtermann2007" class="citation web cs1">Felix Holtermann (24 July 2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.axa.de/presse/wechsel-im-aufsichtsratsvorsitz-der-axa-konzern-ag">"Wechsel im Aufsichtsratsvorsitz der Axa Konzern AG"</a> [Change in the Chairmanship of the Supervisory Board of Axa Konzern AG]. <a href="/wiki/Axa" title="Axa">Axa Konzern AG</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160911222346/https://www.axa.de/presse/wechsel-im-aufsichtsratsvorsitz-der-axa-konzern-ag">Archived</a> from the original on 11 September 2016.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Axa+Konzern+AG&rft.atitle=Wechsel+im+Aufsichtsratsvorsitz+der+Axa+Konzern+AG&rft.date=2007-07-24&rft.au=Felix+Holtermann&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.axa.de%2Fpresse%2Fwechsel-im-aufsichtsratsvorsitz-der-axa-konzern-ag&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-44"><a href="#cite_ref-44">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.alba.info/fileadmin/PDF/Geschaeftsberichte/2010/INTERSEROH-SE-Geschaeftsbreicht-2009-Geschaeftsbericht.pdf">"2010 Annual Report"</a> (PDF). Interseroh. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140325211423/https://www.alba.info/fileadmin/PDF/Geschaeftsberichte/2010/INTERSEROH-SE-Geschaeftsbreicht-2009-Geschaeftsbericht.pdf">Archived</a> (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2014.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Interseroh&rft.atitle=2010+Annual+Report&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alba.info%2Ffileadmin%2FPDF%2FGeschaeftsberichte%2F2010%2FINTERSEROH-SE-Geschaeftsbreicht-2009-Geschaeftsbericht.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-45"><a href="#cite_ref-45">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJack_Ewing2011" class="citation news cs1">Jack Ewing (16 February 2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/business/global/17westlb.html">"For Germany's Banks, a Grim Future"</a>. <a href="/wiki/The_New_York_Times" title="The New York Times">The New York Times</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110217060530/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/business/global/17westlb.html">Archived</a> from the original on 17 February 2011.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+New+York+Times&rft.atitle=For+Germany%27s+Banks%2C+a+Grim+Future&rft.date=2011-02-16&rft.au=Jack+Ewing&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2011%2F02%2F17%2Fbusiness%2Fglobal%2F17westlb.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-46"><a href="#cite_ref-46">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRainer_Kellers2012" class="citation web cs1">Rainer Kellers (23 March 2012). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www1.wdr.de/archiv/neuwahl/roettgen164.html">"Merz soll Wirtschaftskompetenz zeigen: Der "alte Freund" und das Nicht-Comeback"</a> [Merz should show economic competence: The "old friend" and the non-comeback]. <a href="/wiki/Westdeutscher_Rundfunk" title="Westdeutscher Rundfunk">Westdeutscher Rundfunk</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170428201435/http://www1.wdr.de/archiv/neuwahl/roettgen164.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 April 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Westdeutscher+Rundfunk&rft.atitle=Merz+soll+Wirtschaftskompetenz+zeigen%3A+Der+%22alte+Freund%22+und+das+Nicht-Comeback&rft.date=2012-03-23&rft.au=Rainer+Kellers&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.wdr.de%2Farchiv%2Fneuwahl%2Froettgen164.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-47"><a href="#cite_ref-47">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140708040815/https://www.bundestag.de/blob/192344/0b0787a2db63f7a3b9d158fb3c676ded/laender-data.pdf">"Ordentliche Mitglieder der 15. Bundesversammlung"</a> [Ordinary members of the 15th Federal Assembly] (PDF). <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">Bundestag</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bundestag.de/blob/192344/0b0787a2db63f7a3b9d158fb3c676ded/laender-data.pdf">the original</a> (PDF) on 8 July 2014.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Bundestag&rft.atitle=Ordentliche+Mitglieder+der+15.+Bundesversammlung&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bundestag.de%2Fblob%2F192344%2F0b0787a2db63f7a3b9d158fb3c676ded%2Flaender-data.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-48"><a href="#cite_ref-48">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWernicke2017" class="citation web cs1">Wernicke, Christian (7 November 2017). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/nordrhein-westfalen-regierungsjob-fuer-friedrich-merz-1.3739212">"Regierungsjob für Friedrich Merz"</a> [Government job for Friedrich Merz]. <a href="/wiki/S%C3%BCddeutsche_Zeitung" title="Süddeutsche Zeitung">Süddeutsche Zeitung</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171108152108/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/nordrhein-westfalen-regierungsjob-fuer-friedrich-merz-1.3739212">Archived</a> from the original on 8 November 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=S%C3%BCddeutsche+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Regierungsjob+f%C3%BCr+Friedrich+Merz&rft.date=2017-11-07&rft.aulast=Wernicke&rft.aufirst=Christian&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sueddeutsche.de%2Fpolitik%2Fnordrhein-westfalen-regierungsjob-fuer-friedrich-merz-1.3739212&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-49"><a href="#cite_ref-49">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/1.5870575">"Merkel-Nachfolge: Schäuble beförderte Merz' Kandidatur für CDU-Vorsitz"</a> [Merkel's successor: Schäuble promoted Merz's candidacy for CDU chairmanship]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200928191125/https://www.faz.net/1.5870575">Archived</a> from the original on 28 September 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Merkel-Nachfolge%3A+Sch%C3%A4uble+bef%C3%B6rderte+Merz%27+Kandidatur+f%C3%BCr+CDU-Vorsitz&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2F1.5870575&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-50"><a href="#cite_ref-50">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/inland/article228535207/Friedrich-Merz-kandidiert-fuer-CDU-Parteivorsitz.html">"Friedrich Merz kandidiert – und schießt gegen Laschet und Spahn"</a> [Friedrich Merz runs for office – and attacks Laschet and Spahn]. <a href="/wiki/Berliner_Morgenpost" title="Berliner Morgenpost">Berliner Morgenpost</a> (in German). 25 February 2020. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200225173249/https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/inland/article228535207/Friedrich-Merz-kandidiert-fuer-CDU-Parteivorsitz.html">Archived</a> from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Berliner+Morgenpost&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+kandidiert+%E2%80%93+und+schie%C3%9Ft+gegen+Laschet+und+Spahn&rft.date=2020-02-25&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.morgenpost.de%2Fpolitik%2Finland%2Farticle228535207%2FFriedrich-Merz-kandidiert-fuer-CDU-Parteivorsitz.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-51"><a href="#cite_ref-51">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLeithäuserWehner" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Leithäuser, Johannes; Wehner, Markus. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-vorsitz-armin-laschet-und-jens-spahn-als-team-16650688.html">"Als Team in die CDU-Spitze: Wie Laschet und Spahn ihre Mitbewerber unter Druck setzen"</a> [As a team in the CDU leadership: How Laschet and Spahn put their competitors under pressure]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0174-4909">0174-4909</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200226015908/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-vorsitz-armin-laschet-und-jens-spahn-als-team-16650688.html">Archived</a> from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Als+Team+in+die+CDU-Spitze%3A+Wie+Laschet+und+Spahn+ihre+Mitbewerber+unter+Druck+setzen&rft.issn=0174-4909&rft.aulast=Leith%C3%A4user&rft.aufirst=Johannes&rft.au=Wehner%2C+Markus&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fpolitik%2Finland%2Fcdu-vorsitz-armin-laschet-und-jens-spahn-als-team-16650688.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-52"><a href="#cite_ref-52">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/roettgen-zu-bewerbung-um-cdu-vorsitz-geht-um-zukunft-der-cdu-16639785.html">"Röttgen zu Bewerbung: 'Es geht um die Zukunft der CDU'"</a> [Röttgen on application: 'It's about the future of the CDU']. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0174-4909">0174-4909</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200218200719/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/roettgen-zu-bewerbung-um-cdu-vorsitz-geht-um-zukunft-der-cdu-16639785.html">Archived</a> from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=R%C3%B6ttgen+zu+Bewerbung%3A+%27Es+geht+um+die+Zukunft+der+CDU%27&rft.issn=0174-4909&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fpolitik%2Finland%2Froettgen-zu-bewerbung-um-cdu-vorsitz-geht-um-zukunft-der-cdu-16639785.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-53"><a href="#cite_ref-53">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html">"CDU-Parteitag: Laschet zum neuen Parteichef gewählt"</a> [CDU party conference: Laschet elected new party leader]. Tagesschau (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210116105000/https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/cdu-laschet-111.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Tagesschau&rft.atitle=CDU-Parteitag%3A+Laschet+zum+neuen+Parteichef+gew%C3%A4hlt&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Feilmeldung%2Fcdu-laschet-111.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-54"><a href="#cite_ref-54">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183">"Germany: race for Merkel party leadership goes to runoff"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Associated_Press" title="Associated Press">Associated Press</a>. 20 April 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210116103311/https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183">Archived</a> from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Associated+Press&rft.atitle=Germany%3A+race+for+Merkel+party+leadership+goes+to+runoff&rft.date=2021-04-20&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Fangela-merkel-national-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-germany-2be065e51c2eb729d8b7b5ba8f23f183&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-55"><a href="#cite_ref-55">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/armin-laschet-zum-neuen-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-a-72cdf01e-5074-4faa-9d4f-4417fa18c00d">"Armin Laschet zum neuen CDU-Vorsitzenden gewählt"</a> [Armin Laschet elected new CDU leader]. <a href="/wiki/Der_Spiegel" title="Der Spiegel">Der Spiegel</a> (in German). 16 January 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210116103312/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/armin-laschet-zum-neuen-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-a-72cdf01e-5074-4faa-9d4f-4417fa18c00d">Archived</a> from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Armin+Laschet+zum+neuen+CDU-Vorsitzenden+gew%C3%A4hlt&rft.date=2021-01-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Farmin-laschet-zum-neuen-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-a-72cdf01e-5074-4faa-9d4f-4417fa18c00d&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-56"><a href="#cite_ref-56">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.dw.com/de/merkels-getreuer-armin-laschet-ist-neuer-cdu-chef/a-56226300">"Merkels Getreuer – Armin Laschet ist neuer CDU-Chef"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Deutsche_Welle" title="Deutsche Welle">Deutsche Welle</a> (in German). 16 January 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210117005349/https://www.dw.com/de/merkels-getreuer-armin-laschet-ist-neuer-cdu-chef/a-56226300">Archived</a> from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Deutsche+Welle&rft.atitle=Merkels+Getreuer+%E2%80%93+Armin+Laschet+ist+neuer+CDU-Chef&rft.date=2021-01-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fde%2Fmerkels-getreuer-armin-laschet-ist-neuer-cdu-chef%2Fa-56226300&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-57"><a href="#cite_ref-57">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/friedrich-merz-will-nach-pleite-bei-cdu-wahl-jetzt-wirtschaftsminister-werden-17149521.html">"Merz will Wirtschaftsminister werden"</a> [Merz wants to become Minister of Economics]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). 16 January 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210116135239/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/friedrich-merz-will-nach-pleite-bei-cdu-wahl-jetzt-wirtschaftsminister-werden-17149521.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Merz+will+Wirtschaftsminister+werden&rft.date=2021-01-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fwirtschaft%2Ffriedrich-merz-will-nach-pleite-bei-cdu-wahl-jetzt-wirtschaftsminister-werden-17149521.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-58"><a href="#cite_ref-58">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBurgerDüsseldorf" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Burger, Reiner; Düsseldorf. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-armin-laschet-nominiert-friedrich-merz-ins-wahlkampf-team-17316029.html">"Laschet nominiert Merz: Ein Partner, um eigene Schwächen auszugleichen"</a> [Laschet nominates Merz: A partner to compensate for his own weaknesses]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0174-4909">0174-4909</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210428115242/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/cdu-armin-laschet-nominiert-friedrich-merz-ins-wahlkampf-team-17316029.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Laschet+nominiert+Merz%3A+Ein+Partner%2C+um+eigene+Schw%C3%A4chen+auszugleichen&rft.issn=0174-4909&rft.aulast=Burger&rft.aufirst=Reiner&rft.au=D%C3%BCsseldorf&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fpolitik%2Finland%2Fcdu-armin-laschet-nominiert-friedrich-merz-ins-wahlkampf-team-17316029.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-59"><a href="#cite_ref-59">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPlück2021" class="citation news cs1">Plück, Maximilian (17 April 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-gewinnt-kampfkandidatur-im-sauerland_aid-57399157">"Friedrich Merz gewinnt Kampfkandidatur im Sauerland"</a> [Friedrich Merz wins contested candidacy in Sauerland]. <a href="/wiki/Rheinische_Post" title="Rheinische Post">Rheinische Post</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210417101031/https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-gewinnt-kampfkandidatur-im-sauerland_aid-57399157">Archived</a> from the original on 17 April 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Rheinische+Post&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+gewinnt+Kampfkandidatur+im+Sauerland&rft.date=2021-04-17&rft.aulast=Pl%C3%BCck&rft.aufirst=Maximilian&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Frp-online.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fmerz-gewinnt-kampfkandidatur-im-sauerland_aid-57399157&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-60"><a href="#cite_ref-60">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/race-to-lead-angela-merkel-s-party-in-german-opposition-takes-shape-121111201137_1.html">"Race to lead Angela Merkel's party in German opposition takes shape"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Business_Standard" title="Business Standard">Business Standard</a> India. 12 November 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211112122203/https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/race-to-lead-angela-merkel-s-party-in-german-opposition-takes-shape-121111201137_1.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Business+Standard+India&rft.atitle=Race+to+lead+Angela+Merkel%27s+party+in+German+opposition+takes+shape&rft.date=2021-11-12&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-standard.com%2Farticle%2Finternational%2Frace-to-lead-angela-merkel-s-party-in-german-opposition-takes-shape-121111201137_1.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-61"><a href="#cite_ref-61">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMoulson2021" class="citation web cs1">Moulson, Geir (12 November 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-berlin-europe-elections-national-elections-80324dba4eca2df93fbb41348984383d">"Race to lead Angela Merkel's party in German opposition takes shape"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Associated_Press" title="Associated Press">Associated Press</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211112163232/https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-berlin-europe-elections-national-elections-80324dba4eca2df93fbb41348984383d">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Associated+Press&rft.atitle=Race+to+lead+Angela+Merkel%27s+party+in+German+opposition+takes+shape&rft.date=2021-11-12&rft.aulast=Moulson&rft.aufirst=Geir&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Fangela-merkel-berlin-europe-elections-national-elections-80324dba4eca2df93fbb41348984383d&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-62"><a href="#cite_ref-62">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/germany-s-cdu-ready-to-elect-new-leader-to-succeed-armin-laschet-121111900414_1.html">"Germany's CDU ready to elect new leader to succeed Armin Laschet"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Business_Standard" title="Business Standard">Business Standard</a> India. <a href="/wiki/Indo-Asian_News_Service" title="Indo-Asian News Service">IANS</a>. 19 November 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211119061900/https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/germany-s-cdu-ready-to-elect-new-leader-to-succeed-armin-laschet-121111900414_1.html">Archived</a> from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Business+Standard+India&rft.atitle=Germany%27s+CDU+ready+to+elect+new+leader+to+succeed+Armin+Laschet&rft.date=2021-11-19&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-standard.com%2Farticle%2Finternational%2Fgermany-s-cdu-ready-to-elect-new-leader-to-succeed-armin-laschet-121111900414_1.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-63"><a href="#cite_ref-63">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-friedrich-merz-wird-neuer-parteichef-a-e024cd46-21c9-4120-b010-0d2094db1957">"CDU: Friedrich Merz wird neuer Parteichef"</a> [CDU: Friedrich Merz becomes new party leader]. Der Spiegel (in German). 17 December 2021. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211217133252/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-friedrich-merz-wird-neuer-parteichef-a-e024cd46-21c9-4120-b010-0d2094db1957">Archived</a> from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=CDU%3A+Friedrich+Merz+wird+neuer+Parteichef&rft.date=2021-12-17&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fcdu-friedrich-merz-wird-neuer-parteichef-a-e024cd46-21c9-4120-b010-0d2094db1957&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-64"><a href="#cite_ref-64">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-cdu-party-elects-friedrich-merz-66-new-leader-2021-12-17/">"Germany's CDU party elects Friedrich Merz, 66, new leader"</a>. Reuters. 17 December 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211217133924/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-cdu-party-elects-friedrich-merz-66-new-leader-2021-12-17/">Archived</a> from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Reuters&rft.atitle=Germany%27s+CDU+party+elects+Friedrich+Merz%2C+66%2C+new+leader&rft.date=2021-12-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fgermanys-cdu-party-elects-friedrich-merz-66-new-leader-2021-12-17%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-65"><a href="#cite_ref-65">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-norbert-roettgen-attackiert-friedrich-merz-a-64224660-6a48-4afd-9221-2b7115dde6f1">"CDU: Norbert Röttgen attackiert Friedrich Merz"</a> [CDU: Norbert Röttgen attacks Friedrich Merz]. 16 November 2021. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211116132132/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-norbert-roettgen-attackiert-friedrich-merz-a-64224660-6a48-4afd-9221-2b7115dde6f1">Archived</a> from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=CDU%3A+Norbert+R%C3%B6ttgen+attackiert+Friedrich+Merz&rft.date=2021-11-16&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fcdu-norbert-roettgen-attackiert-friedrich-merz-a-64224660-6a48-4afd-9221-2b7115dde6f1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-66"><a href="#cite_ref-66">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sn.at/politik/weltpolitik/cdu-waehlt-friedrich-merz-zum-neuen-chef-115867060">"CDU wählt Friedrich Merz zum neuen Chef"</a> [CDU elects Friedrich Merz as new leader]. Salzburger Nachrichten (in German). 21 January 2022. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220122120220/https://www.sn.at/politik/weltpolitik/cdu-waehlt-friedrich-merz-zum-neuen-chef-115867060">Archived</a> from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Salzburger+Nachrichten&rft.atitle=CDU+w%C3%A4hlt+Friedrich+Merz+zum+neuen+Chef&rft.date=2022-01-21&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sn.at%2Fpolitik%2Fweltpolitik%2Fcdu-waehlt-friedrich-merz-zum-neuen-chef-115867060&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Vitzthum-2022-67">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Vitzthum-2022_67-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Vitzthum-2022_67-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFVitzthum2022" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Vitzthum, Thomas (22 January 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus236404199/CDU-Parteitag-Merz-trifft-den-richtigen-Ton-und-zeigt-geradezu-Lust-auf-die-Oppositionsrolle.html">"CDU-Parteitag: Merz trifft den richtigen Ton – und zeigt geradezu Lust auf die Oppositionsrolle"</a> [CDU party conference: Merz hits the right note – and shows a real desire for the opposition role]. <a href="/wiki/Die_Welt" title="Die Welt">Die Welt</a> (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220122154803/https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus236404199/CDU-Parteitag-Merz-trifft-den-richtigen-Ton-und-zeigt-geradezu-Lust-auf-die-Oppositionsrolle.html">Archived</a> from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Die+Welt&rft.atitle=CDU-Parteitag%3A+Merz+trifft+den+richtigen+Ton+%E2%80%93+und+zeigt+geradezu+Lust+auf+die+Oppositionsrolle&rft.date=2022-01-22&rft.aulast=Vitzthum&rft.aufirst=Thomas&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fdebatte%2Fkommentare%2Fplus236404199%2FCDU-Parteitag-Merz-trifft-den-richtigen-Ton-und-zeigt-geradezu-Lust-auf-die-Oppositionsrolle.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-68"><a href="#cite_ref-68">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCarstens" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Carstens, Peter. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/friedrich-merz-zum-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-17745882.html">"Fast 95 Prozent für Merz: 'Ein starker Auftrag und ein großartiges Mandat'"</a> [Almost 95 percent for Merz: "A strong mandate and a great mandate"]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0174-4909">0174-4909</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220122112413/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/friedrich-merz-zum-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-17745882.html">Archived</a> from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Fast+95+Prozent+f%C3%BCr+Merz%3A+%27Ein+starker+Auftrag+und+ein+gro%C3%9Fartiges+Mandat%27&rft.issn=0174-4909&rft.aulast=Carstens&rft.aufirst=Peter&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fpolitik%2Finland%2Ffriedrich-merz-zum-cdu-vorsitzenden-gewaehlt-17745882.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-69"><a href="#cite_ref-69">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-elections-germany-national-elections-angela-merkel-34128eaaff5eac510ed59b522757e334">"Merz takes over as center-right opposition leader in Germany"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Associated_Press" title="Associated Press">Associated Press</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220131165425/https://apnews.com/article/europe-elections-germany-national-elections-angela-merkel-34128eaaff5eac510ed59b522757e334">Archived</a> from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Associated+Press&rft.atitle=Merz+takes+over+as+center-right+opposition+leader+in+Germany&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Feurope-elections-germany-national-elections-angela-merkel-34128eaaff5eac510ed59b522757e334&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:0-70"><a href="#cite_ref-:0_70-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidatur-der-union-friedrich-merz-und-markus-soeder-einigen-sich-auf-den-cdu-chef-a-1a96e850-3297-4cdf-8b8e-0842b9cf0c97">"'Ich habe ein Versprechen gegeben, dass sich 2021 nicht wiederholen wird'"</a> ['I made a promise that 2021 will not be repeated']. <a href="/wiki/Der_Spiegel" title="Der Spiegel">Der Spiegel</a>. 17 September 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240917105411/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidatur-der-union-friedrich-merz-und-markus-soeder-einigen-sich-auf-den-cdu-chef-a-1a96e850-3297-4cdf-8b8e-0842b9cf0c97">Archived</a> from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=%27Ich+habe+ein+Versprechen+gegeben%2C+dass+sich+2021+nicht+wiederholen+wird%27&rft.date=2024-09-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fkanzlerkandidatur-der-union-friedrich-merz-und-markus-soeder-einigen-sich-auf-den-cdu-chef-a-1a96e850-3297-4cdf-8b8e-0842b9cf0c97&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:1-71"><a href="#cite_ref-:1_71-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBrodersenGera2024" class="citation web cs1">Brodersen, Fanny; Gera, Vanessa (17 September 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-politics-christian-democratic-union-cf1033d27f82a0291e983f3c9a94fb97">"German opposition Christian Democrats tap leader Friedrich Merz as their candidate for chancellor"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Associated_Press" title="Associated Press">Associated Press</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240917111140/https://apnews.com/article/germany-politics-christian-democratic-union-cf1033d27f82a0291e983f3c9a94fb97">Archived</a> from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Associated+Press&rft.atitle=German+opposition+Christian+Democrats+tap+leader+Friedrich+Merz+as+their+candidate+for+chancellor&rft.date=2024-09-17&rft.aulast=Brodersen&rft.aufirst=Fanny&rft.au=Gera%2C+Vanessa&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Fgermany-politics-christian-democratic-union-cf1033d27f82a0291e983f3c9a94fb97&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-72"><a href="#cite_ref-72">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBriancon2025" class="citation news cs1">Briancon, Pierre (23 February 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/merzs-victory-opens-new-era-german-uncertainty-2025-02-23/">"Merz's victory opens new era of German uncertainty"</a>. Reuters. Retrieved 23 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Merz%27s+victory+opens+new+era+of+German+uncertainty&rft.date=2025-02-23&rft.aulast=Briancon&rft.aufirst=Pierre&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fbreakingviews%2Fmerzs-victory-opens-new-era-german-uncertainty-2025-02-23%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-73"><a href="#cite_ref-73">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAngelos2025" class="citation news cs1">Angelos, James (23 February 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/german-election-results-2025-friedrich-merz-next-chancellor-historic-question-europe-without-us-support/">"Europe's most powerful leader as US turns its back"</a>. Politico. Retrieved 23 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Europe%27s+most+powerful+leader+as+US+turns+its+back&rft.date=2025-02-23&rft.aulast=Angelos&rft.aufirst=James&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.eu%2Farticle%2Fgerman-election-results-2025-friedrich-merz-next-chancellor-historic-question-europe-without-us-support%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-74"><a href="#cite_ref-74">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-merz-sieht-bekaempfung-irregulaerer-migration-als-wichtigste-aufgabe-a-b06c5bda-e0e3-4697-bba4-86b9b151f7c0">"Friedrich Merz sieht Bekämpfung irregulärer Migration als wichtigste Aufgabe"</a> [Friedrich Merz sees combating irregular migration as the most important task]. Der Spiegel (in German). dpa. 14 December 2024. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241214131826/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-merz-sieht-bekaempfung-irregulaerer-migration-als-wichtigste-aufgabe-a-b06c5bda-e0e3-4697-bba4-86b9b151f7c0">Archived</a> from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+sieht+Bek%C3%A4mpfung+irregul%C3%A4rer+Migration+als+wichtigste+Aufgabe&rft.date=2024-12-14&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Ffriedrich-merz-merz-sieht-bekaempfung-irregulaerer-migration-als-wichtigste-aufgabe-a-b06c5bda-e0e3-4697-bba4-86b9b151f7c0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-75"><a href="#cite_ref-75">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights">"Universal Declaration of Human Rights"</a>. United Nations. 10 December 1948. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241202092741/https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights">Archived</a> from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=United+Nations&rft.atitle=Universal+Declaration+of+Human+Rights&rft.date=1948-12-10&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.un.org%2Fen%2Fabout-us%2Funiversal-declaration-of-human-rights&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-gg16a-76"><a href="#cite_ref-gg16a_76-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0093">"Article 16a: Right of Asylum"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany" title="Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany">Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany</a>. <a href="/wiki/Federal_Ministry_of_Justice_(Germany)" title="Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany)">Federal Ministry of Justice</a>. 2024 [1993]. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250130161133/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0093">Archived</a> from the original on 30 January 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Basic+Law+for+the+Federal+Republic+of+Germany&rft.atitle=Article+16a%3A+Right+of+Asylum&rft.date=2024&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gesetze-im-internet.de%2Fenglisch_gg%2Fenglisch_gg.html%23p0093&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-gg56-77"><a href="#cite_ref-gg56_77-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0273">"Article 56: Oath of office"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany" title="Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany">Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany</a>. <a href="/wiki/Federal_Ministry_of_Justice_(Germany)" title="Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany)">Federal Ministry of Justice</a>. 2024 [1949]. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250130161133/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0273">Archived</a> from the original on 30 January 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Basic+Law+for+the+Federal+Republic+of+Germany&rft.atitle=Article+56%3A+Oath+of+office&rft.date=2024&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gesetze-im-internet.de%2Fenglisch_gg%2Fenglisch_gg.html%23p0273&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-78"><a href="#cite_ref-78">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundestag-olaf-scholz-leistet-amtseid-als-bundeskanzler-a-c06bef1f-713e-4e4e-b1f6-d05daae17da2">"Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz leistet Amtseid im Bundestag"</a> [Chancellor Olaf Scholz takes the oath of office in the Bundestag]. <a href="/wiki/Der_Spiegel" title="Der Spiegel">Der Spiegel</a>. 8 December 2021. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091057/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundestag-olaf-scholz-leistet-amtseid-als-bundeskanzler-a-c06bef1f-713e-4e4e-b1f6-d05daae17da2">Archived</a> from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Bundeskanzler+Olaf+Scholz+leistet+Amtseid+im+Bundestag&rft.date=2021-12-08&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fbundestag-olaf-scholz-leistet-amtseid-als-bundeskanzler-a-c06bef1f-713e-4e4e-b1f6-d05daae17da2&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:5-80">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:5_80-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:5_80-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDettmerDiekmannFiedlerGebauer2024" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Dettmer, Markus; Diekmann, Florian; Fiedler, Maria; Gebauer, Matthias; Hickmann, Christoph; Reiermann, Christian; Schaible, Jonas (17 November 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-wie-ein-cdu-kanzler-deutschland-veraendern-koennte-a-d3a42cc4-e1c8-4667-b5ef-d157c81f1bc8">"(S+) Die Agenda des CDU-Chefs: Wie ein Kanzler Merz Deutschland verändern könnte"</a> [(S+) The CDU leader's agenda: How a Chancellor Merz could change Germany]. Der Spiegel (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241115120542/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-wie-ein-cdu-kanzler-deutschland-veraendern-koennte-a-d3a42cc4-e1c8-4667-b5ef-d157c81f1bc8">Archived</a> from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=%28S%2B%29+Die+Agenda+des+CDU-Chefs%3A+Wie+ein+Kanzler+Merz+Deutschland+ver%C3%A4ndern+k%C3%B6nnte&rft.date=2024-11-17&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft.aulast=Dettmer&rft.aufirst=Markus&rft.au=Diekmann%2C+Florian&rft.au=Fiedler%2C+Maria&rft.au=Gebauer%2C+Matthias&rft.au=Hickmann%2C+Christoph&rft.au=Reiermann%2C+Christian&rft.au=Schaible%2C+Jonas&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Ffriedrich-merz-wie-ein-cdu-kanzler-deutschland-veraendern-koennte-a-d3a42cc4-e1c8-4667-b5ef-d157c81f1bc8&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-81"><a href="#cite_ref-81">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/migration-experten-halten-grenzschliessung-durch-notlage-fur-moglich-12271235.html">"Migration: Experten halten Grenzschließung durch Notlage für möglich"</a> [Migration: Experts believe border closure is possible due to emergency]. Tagesspiegel.de. 28 August 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240828140409/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/migration-experten-halten-grenzschliessung-durch-notlage-fur-moglich-12271235.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 August 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Tagesspiegel.de&rft.atitle=Migration%3A+Experten+halten+Grenzschlie%C3%9Fung+durch+Notlage+f%C3%BCr+m%C3%B6glich&rft.date=2024-08-28&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesspiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fmigration-experten-halten-grenzschliessung-durch-notlage-fur-moglich-12271235.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-82"><a href="#cite_ref-82">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-fluechtlingszahlen-100.html">"Merz für Aufnahme von höchstens 100.000 Flüchtlingen pro Jahr"</a> [Merz for the acceptance of a maximum of 100,000 refugees per year]. tagesschau.de (in German). 16 March 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240316104433/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-fluechtlingszahlen-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=Merz+f%C3%BCr+Aufnahme+von+h%C3%B6chstens+100.000+Fl%C3%BCchtlingen+pro+Jahr&rft.date=2024-03-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Finland%2Finnenpolitik%2Fmerz-fluechtlingszahlen-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-83"><a href="#cite_ref-83">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/17/german-election-cdu-manifesto-proposes-rightward-shift-on-migration-and-strong-support-for">"German election: CDU manifesto proposes rightward shift on migration and strong support for Ukraine"</a>. Euronews. 17 December 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241217173014/https://www.euronews.com/2024/12/17/german-election-cdu-manifesto-proposes-rightward-shift-on-migration-and-strong-support-for">Archived</a> from the original on 17 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Euronews&rft.atitle=German+election%3A+CDU+manifesto+proposes+rightward+shift+on+migration+and+strong+support+for+Ukraine&rft.date=2024-12-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2F2024%2F12%2F17%2Fgerman-election-cdu-manifesto-proposes-rightward-shift-on-migration-and-strong-support-for&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-reuters-merz-84">^ <a href="#cite_ref-reuters-merz_84-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-reuters-merz_84-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-reuters-merz_84-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-reuters-merz_84-3">d</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/">"Policies of German opposition chief and possible next chancellor Merz"</a>. Reuters. 17 September 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240918011748/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/policies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17/">Archived</a> from the original on 18 September 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Reuters&rft.atitle=Policies+of+German+opposition+chief+and+possible+next+chancellor+Merz&rft.date=2024-09-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fpolicies-german-opposition-chief-possible-next-chancellor-merz-2024-09-17%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-85"><a href="#cite_ref-85">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJegić2024" class="citation news cs1">Jegić, Denijal (7 January 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/1/7/why-is-germany-so-viciously-anti-palestinian">"Why is Germany so viciously anti-Palestinian?"</a>. Al-Jazeera. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240107123915/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/1/7/why-is-germany-so-viciously-anti-palestinian">Archived</a> from the original on 7 January 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Al-Jazeera&rft.atitle=Why+is+Germany+so+viciously+anti-Palestinian%3F&rft.date=2024-01-07&rft.aulast=Jegi%C4%87&rft.aufirst=Denijal&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aljazeera.com%2Fopinions%2F2024%2F1%2F7%2Fwhy-is-germany-so-viciously-anti-palestinian&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-86"><a href="#cite_ref-86">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMerz2023" class="citation web cs1">Merz, Friedrich [@_FriedrichMerz] (22 October 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240717231549/https://x.com/_FriedrichMerz/status/1716060045052383650">"'Sollte es Flüchtlinge aus #Gaza geben, dann sind diese zunächst einmal ein Thema für die Nachbarstaaten. Deutschland kann nicht noch mehr #Flüchtlinge aufnehmen. Wir haben genug antisemitische junge Männer im Land!' (tm)"</a> ['If there are refugees from #Gaza, then they are first and foremost an issue for the neighboring countries. Germany cannot take in any more #refugees. We have enough anti-Semitic young men in the country!'] (<a href="/wiki/Tweet_(social_media)" title="Tweet (social media)">Tweet</a>). Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://x.com/_FriedrichMerz/status/1716060045052383650">the original</a> on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2025 – via <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=%27Sollte+es+Fl%C3%BCchtlinge+aus+%23Gaza+geben%2C+dann+sind+diese+zun%C3%A4chst+einmal+ein+Thema+f%C3%BCr+die+Nachbarstaaten.+Deutschland+kann+nicht+noch+mehr+%23Fl%C3%BCchtlinge+aufnehmen.+Wir+haben+genug+antisemitische+junge+M%C3%A4nner+im+Land%21%27+%28tm%29&rft.date=2023-10-22&rft.aulast=Merz&rft.aufirst=Friedrich&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2F_FriedrichMerz%2Fstatus%2F1716060045052383650&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-87"><a href="#cite_ref-87">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.merkur.de/politik/friedrich-merz-cdu-abschiebung-syrien-fluechtlinge-asyl-bundestagswahl-2025-zr-93472190.html">"Merz fordert Syrien-Abschiebungen und Aufnahmestopp – 'nicht durchsetzbar und rechtswidrig'"</a> [Merz calls for Syria deportations and admission freeze – 'unenforceable and illegal']. merkur.de (in German). 17 December 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241216215642/https://www.merkur.de/politik/friedrich-merz-cdu-abschiebung-syrien-fluechtlinge-asyl-bundestagswahl-2025-zr-93472190.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=merkur.de&rft.atitle=Merz+fordert+Syrien-Abschiebungen+und+Aufnahmestopp+%E2%80%93+%27nicht+durchsetzbar+und+rechtswidrig%27&rft.date=2024-12-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merkur.de%2Fpolitik%2Ffriedrich-merz-cdu-abschiebung-syrien-fluechtlinge-asyl-bundestagswahl-2025-zr-93472190.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-88"><a href="#cite_ref-88">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBelousovaWolff2024" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Belousova, Katja; Wolff, Kathrin (27 June 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/einbuergerung-deutschland-reform-staatsbuergerschaft-100.html">"Einbürgerung: Schneller zum deutschen Pass - was jetzt gilt"</a> [Naturalization: Faster access to a German passport - what applies now]. ZDFheute (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250105203234/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/einbuergerung-deutschland-reform-staatsbuergerschaft-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=ZDFheute&rft.atitle=Einb%C3%BCrgerung%3A+Schneller+zum+deutschen+Pass+-+was+jetzt+gilt&rft.date=2024-06-27&rft.aulast=Belousova&rft.aufirst=Katja&rft.au=Wolff%2C+Kathrin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zdf.de%2Fnachrichten%2Fpolitik%2Feinbuergerung-deutschland-reform-staatsbuergerschaft-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-89"><a href="#cite_ref-89">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-ausbuergerung-ermoeglichen-a-d887cae0-8e6f-4f1f-ab5b-1de8da5efde7">"Friedrich Merz: CDU-Chef will Ausbürgerung ermöglichen"</a> [Friedrich Merz: CDU leader wants to enable denaturalization]. Der Spiegel (in German). 5 January 2025. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250105160840/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-ausbuergerung-ermoeglichen-a-d887cae0-8e6f-4f1f-ab5b-1de8da5efde7">Archived</a> from the original on 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+CDU-Chef+will+Ausb%C3%BCrgerung+erm%C3%B6glichen&rft.date=2025-01-05&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Ffriedrich-merz-will-ausbuergerung-ermoeglichen-a-d887cae0-8e6f-4f1f-ab5b-1de8da5efde7&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-90"><a href="#cite_ref-90">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus255024542/Friedrich-Merz-Aberkennung-der-deutschen-Staatsbuergerschaft-muesste-dann-moeglich-sein.html">"Friedrich Merz: 'Aberkennung der deutschen Staatsbürgerschaft müsste dann möglich sein'"</a> [Friedrich Merz: 'Revocation of German citizenship should then be possible']. <a href="/wiki/Die_Welt" title="Die Welt">Die Welt</a> (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250104064126/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus255024542/Friedrich-Merz-Aberkennung-der-deutschen-Staatsbuergerschaft-muesste-dann-moeglich-sein.html">Archived</a> from the original on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Die+Welt&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+%27Aberkennung+der+deutschen+Staatsb%C3%BCrgerschaft+m%C3%BCsste+dann+m%C3%B6glich+sein%27&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fplus255024542%2FFriedrich-Merz-Aberkennung-der-deutschen-Staatsbuergerschaft-muesste-dann-moeglich-sein.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-91"><a href="#cite_ref-91">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRoßmann2025" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Roßmann, Robert (23 January 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merz-aschaffenburg-abschiebungen-fluechtlingspolitik-bundestagswahl-li.3188100?reduced=true">"Nach Aschaffenburg - Merz über irreguläre Migration: 'Das Maß ist endgültig voll'"</a> [To Aschaffenburg - Merz on irregular migration: 'The cup is finally full']. <a href="/wiki/S%C3%BCddeutsche_Zeitung" title="Süddeutsche Zeitung">Süddeutsche Zeitung</a> (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250123115058/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/merz-aschaffenburg-abschiebungen-fluechtlingspolitik-bundestagswahl-li.3188100?reduced=true">Archived</a> from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=S%C3%BCddeutsche+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Nach+Aschaffenburg+-+Merz+%C3%BCber+irregul%C3%A4re+Migration%3A+%27Das+Ma%C3%9F+ist+endg%C3%BCltig+voll%27&rft.date=2025-01-23&rft.aulast=Ro%C3%9Fmann&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sueddeutsche.de%2Fpolitik%2Fmerz-aschaffenburg-abschiebungen-fluechtlingspolitik-bundestagswahl-li.3188100%3Freduced%3Dtrue&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:18-92">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:18_92-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:18_92-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:18_92-2">c</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html">"Das Ende der "Brandmauer"? Merz' Asylpolitik und die AfD"</a> [The end of the "firewall"? Merz's asylum policy and the AfD]. Deutschlandfunk (in German). 29 January 2025. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250124165755/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Deutschlandfunk&rft.atitle=Das+Ende+der+%22Brandmauer%22%3F+Merz%27+Asylpolitik+und+die+AfD&rft.date=2025-01-29&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deutschlandfunk.de%2Fmerz-cdu-grenzschliessungen-afd-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-93"><a href="#cite_ref-93">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-als-kanzler-faktisches-einreiseverbot-fuer-illegal-einreisende-verhaengen-a-46b54beb-2a47-4148-910b-2b024798f632">"Merz will als Kanzler »faktisches Einreiseverbot« für Illegale verhängen"</a> [As Chancellor, Merz wants to impose a "de facto entry ban" for illegal immigrants]. <a href="/wiki/Der_Spiegel" title="Der Spiegel">Der Spiegel</a> (in German). 23 January 2025. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250123155134/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-will-als-kanzler-faktisches-einreiseverbot-fuer-illegal-einreisende-verhaengen-a-46b54beb-2a47-4148-910b-2b024798f632">Archived</a> from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Merz+will+als+Kanzler+%C2%BBfaktisches+Einreiseverbot%C2%AB+f%C3%BCr+Illegale+verh%C3%A4ngen&rft.date=2025-01-23&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Ffriedrich-merz-will-als-kanzler-faktisches-einreiseverbot-fuer-illegal-einreisende-verhaengen-a-46b54beb-2a47-4148-910b-2b024798f632&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-94"><a href="#cite_ref-94">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cdu.de/artikel/wohlstand-ohne-leistung-ist-eine-illusion">"Wohlstand ohne Leistung ist eine Illusion"</a> [Prosperity without performance is an illusion]. cdu.de. 18 March 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240319094037/https://www.cdu.de/artikel/wohlstand-ohne-leistung-ist-eine-illusion">Archived</a> from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=cdu.de&rft.atitle=Wohlstand+ohne+Leistung+ist+eine+Illusion&rft.date=2024-03-18&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdu.de%2Fartikel%2Fwohlstand-ohne-leistung-ist-eine-illusion&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-95"><a href="#cite_ref-95">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFGlaser2024" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Glaser, Emeli (10 November 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.suedkurier.de/ueberregional/wirtschaft/geld-finanzen/aenderungen-beim-buergergeld-das-kommt-auf-empfaenger-zu-wenn-friedrich-merz-kanzler-wird-10-11-24;art1373668,12185953">"Änderungen beim Bürgergeld: Das kommt auf Empfänger zu, wenn Friedrich Merz Kanzler wird"</a> [Changes to the Citizen's Allowance: This is what recipients will have to expect if Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor]. SÜDKURIER Online (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112131613/https://www.suedkurier.de/ueberregional/wirtschaft/geld-finanzen/aenderungen-beim-buergergeld-das-kommt-auf-empfaenger-zu-wenn-friedrich-merz-kanzler-wird-10-11-24;art1373668,12185953">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=S%C3%9CDKURIER+Online&rft.atitle=%C3%84nderungen+beim+B%C3%BCrgergeld%3A+Das+kommt+auf+Empf%C3%A4nger+zu%2C+wenn+Friedrich+Merz+Kanzler+wird&rft.date=2024-11-10&rft.aulast=Glaser&rft.aufirst=Emeli&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.suedkurier.de%2Fueberregional%2Fwirtschaft%2Fgeld-finanzen%2Faenderungen-beim-buergergeld-das-kommt-auf-empfaenger-zu-wenn-friedrich-merz-kanzler-wird-10-11-24%3Bart1373668%2C12185953&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-96"><a href="#cite_ref-96">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://arbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de/ueber-uns/nachrichten/++co++7d23dfb8-eac8-11ee-8ae0-c502a8b1e0e2">"Die Neue Grundsicherung"</a> [The New Basic Security Plan]. arbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de (in German). 9 April 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112131613/https://www.suedkurier.https://web.archive.org/web/20241112141604/https://arbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de/ueber-uns/nachrichten/++co++7d23dfb8-eac8-11ee-8ae0-c502a8b1e0e2">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=arbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de&rft.atitle=Die+Neue+Grundsicherung&rft.date=2024-04-09&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farbeitsmarkt-und-sozialpolitik.verdi.de%2Fueber-uns%2Fnachrichten%2F%2B%2Bco%2B%2B7d23dfb8-eac8-11ee-8ae0-c502a8b1e0e2&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:6-97">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:6_97-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:6_97-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-erklaert-seinen-kanzlerplan--trump--rente--jobs-35212552.html">"Trump, Rente, Jobs: Friedrich Merz und sein Kanzlerplan"</a> [Trump, pensions, jobs: Friedrich Merz and his chancellorship plans]. stern.de (in German). 10 November 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241113214023/https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-erklaert-seinen-kanzlerplan--trump--rente--jobs-35212552.html">Archived</a> from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=stern.de&rft.atitle=Trump%2C+Rente%2C+Jobs%3A+Friedrich+Merz+und+sein+Kanzlerplan&rft.date=2024-11-10&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stern.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Ffriedrich-merz-erklaert-seinen-kanzlerplan--trump--rente--jobs-35212552.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-98"><a href="#cite_ref-98">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241216-friedrich-merz-german-conservative-gunning-to-become-chancellor">"Friedrich Merz: German conservative gunning to become chancellor"</a>. France 24. 16 December 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241216181814/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241216-friedrich-merz-german-conservative-gunning-to-become-chancellor">Archived</a> from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=France+24&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+German+conservative+gunning+to+become+chancellor&rft.date=2024-12-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.france24.com%2Fen%2Flive-news%2F20241216-friedrich-merz-german-conservative-gunning-to-become-chancellor&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-99"><a href="#cite_ref-99">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.dw.com/en/cdu-friedrich-merz-angela-merkel-rival-german-election-2025-chancellor-v2/a-70845544">"Merkel nemesis Friedrich Merz aims to be German chancellor"</a>. dw.com. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241125150408/https://www.dw.com/en/cdu-friedrich-merz-angela-merkel-rival-german-election-2025-chancellor-v2/a-70845544">Archived</a> from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=dw.com&rft.atitle=Merkel+nemesis+Friedrich+Merz+aims+to+be+German+chancellor&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fcdu-friedrich-merz-angela-merkel-rival-german-election-2025-chancellor-v2%2Fa-70845544&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:16-100">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:16_100-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:16_100-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:16_100-2">c</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKampfner2024" class="citation web cs1">Kampfner, John (26 December 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/">"This Really Isn't Angela Merkel's Center Right Anymore"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Foreign_Policy" title="Foreign Policy">Foreign Policy</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240212135402/https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/12/germany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration/">Archived</a> from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Foreign+Policy&rft.atitle=This+Really+Isn%27t+Angela+Merkel%27s+Center+Right+Anymore&rft.date=2024-12-26&rft.aulast=Kampfner&rft.aufirst=John&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fforeignpolicy.com%2F2024%2F02%2F12%2Fgermany-cdu-merz-merkel-afd-migration%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-101"><a href="#cite_ref-101">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFConnolly2024" class="citation news cs1">Connolly, Kate (10 December 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/who-is-friedrich-merz-germany-next-chancellor-scholz-merkel">"Who is Friedrich Merz, the pilot politician tipped to be German chancellor?"</a>. <a href="/wiki/The_Guardian" title="The Guardian">The Guardian</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077">0261-3077</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241210052751/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/who-is-friedrich-merz-germany-next-chancellor-scholz-merkel">Archived</a> from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Who+is+Friedrich+Merz%2C+the+pilot+politician+tipped+to+be+German+chancellor%3F&rft.date=2024-12-10&rft.issn=0261-3077&rft.aulast=Connolly&rft.aufirst=Kate&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2024%2Fdec%2F10%2Fwho-is-friedrich-merz-germany-next-chancellor-scholz-merkel&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-102"><a href="#cite_ref-102">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/wird-er-merkels-nachfolger-friedrich-merz-kandidiert-fuer-den-cdu-parteivorsitz-id9051960.html">"Wer ist Friedrich Merz? Merkels Nachfolger für den CDU-Parteivorsitz"</a> [Who is Friedrich Merz? Merkel's successor for the CDU party chairmanship]. <a href="/wiki/Blick.ch" class="mw-redirect" title="Blick.ch">blick.ch</a>. 31 October 2018. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181104130005/https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/wird-er-merkels-nachfolger-friedrich-merz-kandidiert-fuer-den-cdu-parteivorsitz-id9051960.html">Archived</a> from the original on 4 November 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=blick.ch&rft.atitle=Wer+ist+Friedrich+Merz%3F+Merkels+Nachfolger+f%C3%BCr+den+CDU-Parteivorsitz&rft.date=2018-10-31&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blick.ch%2Fnews%2Fausland%2Fwird-er-merkels-nachfolger-friedrich-merz-kandidiert-fuer-den-cdu-parteivorsitz-id9051960.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-103"><a href="#cite_ref-103">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAndreas_Rinke2023" class="citation news cs1">Andreas Rinke (31 March 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-main-opposition-leader-calls-european-coalition-china-ties-2023-03-31/">"Germany's main opposition leader calls for European coalition on China ties"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Reuters" title="Reuters">Reuters</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230331144103/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-main-opposition-leader-calls-european-coalition-china-ties-2023-03-31/">Archived</a> from the original on 31 March 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Reuters&rft.atitle=Germany%27s+main+opposition+leader+calls+for+European+coalition+on+China+ties&rft.date=2023-03-31&rft.au=Andreas+Rinke&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fgermanys-main-opposition-leader-calls-european-coalition-china-ties-2023-03-31%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-104"><a href="#cite_ref-104">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3292397/will-merzs-tough-talk-china-fizzle-out-if-he-becomes-leader-germany">"Will Merz's tough talk on China fizzle out if he becomes leader of Germany?"</a>. South China Morning Post. 6 January 2025. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250106133218/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3292397/will-merzs-tough-talk-china-fizzle-out-if-he-becomes-leader-germany">Archived</a> from the original on 6 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=South+China+Morning+Post&rft.atitle=Will+Merz%27s+tough+talk+on+China+fizzle+out+if+he+becomes+leader+of+Germany%3F&rft.date=2025-01-06&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scmp.com%2Fnews%2Fchina%2Fdiplomacy%2Farticle%2F3292397%2Fwill-merzs-tough-talk-china-fizzle-out-if-he-becomes-leader-germany&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-politic-105"><a href="#cite_ref-politic_105-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/german-election-results-2025-friedrich-merz-next-chancellor-historic-question-europe-without-us-support/">"Who is Friedrich Merz? Meet Europe's most powerful leader as US turns its back"</a>. Politico. Retrieved 23 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Politico&rft.atitle=Who+is+Friedrich+Merz%3F+Meet+Europe%27s+most+powerful+leader+as+US+turns+its+back&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.eu%2Farticle%2Fgerman-election-results-2025-friedrich-merz-next-chancellor-historic-question-europe-without-us-support%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-106"><a href="#cite_ref-106">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://variety.com/2025/global/news/germany-us-friedrich-merz-trump-berlinale-1236318647/">"After Germany's Right-Wing Gains in Elections, New Conservative Leader Vows to 'Achieve Independence' From U.S. Under Trump's Rule"</a>. Variety. Retrieved 24 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Variety&rft.atitle=After+Germany%E2%80%99s+Right-Wing+Gains+in+Elections%2C+New+Conservative+Leader+Vows+to+%E2%80%98Achieve+Independence%E2%80%99+From+U.S.+Under+Trump%E2%80%99s+Rule&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2025%2Fglobal%2Fnews%2Fgermany-us-friedrich-merz-trump-berlinale-1236318647%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-107"><a href="#cite_ref-107">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBershidsky2018" class="citation web cs1">Bershidsky, Leonid (1 November 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-11-01/merkel-s-would-be-successor-merz-is-a-real-german-conservative">"Merkel's Would-Be Successor Is a Real Conservative"</a>. Bloomberg. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181104131355/https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-11-01/merkel-s-would-be-successor-merz-is-a-real-german-conservative">Archived</a> from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Bloomberg&rft.atitle=Merkel%27s+Would-Be+Successor+Is+a+Real+Conservative&rft.date=2018-11-01&rft.aulast=Bershidsky&rft.aufirst=Leonid&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fopinion%2Farticles%2F2018-11-01%2Fmerkel-s-would-be-successor-merz-is-a-real-german-conservative&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:2-108">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:2_108-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:2_108-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-taurus-miosga-100.html">"Merz würde 'Taurus' liefern - aber 'nicht einfach so'"</a> [Merz would deliver 'Taurus' to Ukraine - but 'not just like that!']. tagesschau.de (in German). 14 October 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241113135346/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-taurus-miosga-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=Merz+w%C3%BCrde+%27Taurus%27+liefern+-+aber+%27nicht+einfach+so%27&rft.date=2024-10-14&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Finland%2Fmerz-taurus-miosga-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:17-109">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:17_109-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:17_109-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:17_109-2">c</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html">"CDU-Chef Merz im Interview: 'Wir brauchen eine große Kraftanstrengung'"</a> [CDU leader Merz in an interview: 'We need a major effort']. tagesschau.de (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250113170936/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundestagswahl/parteien/interview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=CDU-Chef+Merz+im+Interview%3A+%27Wir+brauchen+eine+gro%C3%9Fe+Kraftanstrengung%27&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Finland%2Fbundestagswahl%2Fparteien%2Finterview-merz-tagesthemen-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-110"><a href="#cite_ref-110">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFVon_der_Burchard2022" class="citation web cs1">Von der Burchard, Hans (6 May 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-opposition-leader-friedrich-merz-attacks-government-from-the-sleeping-coach-ukraine/">"Merz on the march: German opposition chief plays Ukraine card before elections"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Politico" title="Politico">Politico</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220506040852/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-opposition-leader-friedrich-merz-attacks-government-from-the-sleeping-coach-ukraine/">Archived</a> from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Politico&rft.atitle=Merz+on+the+march%3A+German+opposition+chief+plays+Ukraine+card+before+elections&rft.date=2022-05-06&rft.aulast=Von+der+Burchard&rft.aufirst=Hans&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.eu%2Farticle%2Fgermany-opposition-leader-friedrich-merz-attacks-government-from-the-sleeping-coach-ukraine%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-111"><a href="#cite_ref-111">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/taurus-lieferung-abgelehnt-merz-kritisiert-scholz-zeitenwende-19537190.html">"Taurus-Lieferung abgelehnt: Merz kritisiert Scholz 'Zeitenwende'"</a> [Taurus delivery rejected: Merz criticizes Scholz's 'turning point']. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). 22 February 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240223211803/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/taurus-lieferung-abgelehnt-merz-kritisiert-scholz-zeitenwende-19537190.html">Archived</a> from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Taurus-Lieferung+abgelehnt%3A+Merz+kritisiert+Scholz+%27Zeitenwende%27&rft.date=2024-02-22&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fpolitik%2Finland%2Ftaurus-lieferung-abgelehnt-merz-kritisiert-scholz-zeitenwende-19537190.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-112"><a href="#cite_ref-112">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/merz-tagesthemen-ukraine-100.html">"Merz zur Ukraine: 'Der Weg in die NATO ist unumkehrbar'"</a> [Merz on Ukraine: "The path to NATO is irreversible")]. tagesschau.de (in German). 9 December 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241209195356/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/merz-tagesthemen-ukraine-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 9 December 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=Merz+zur+Ukraine%3A+%27Der+Weg+in+die+NATO+ist+unumkehrbar%27&rft.date=2024-12-09&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Fausland%2Feuropa%2Fmerz-tagesthemen-ukraine-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:19-113">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:19_113-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:19_113-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/interview-merz-friedrich-cdu-bundesvors-vors-der-unions-bundestagsfraktion-dlf-d43e9dcb-100.html">"CDU-Chef Merz verlangt klare Botschaft von Kanzler Scholz an Präsident Erdogan"</a> [War in the MidEast - Merz: Germany will not be able to play a mediating role]. <a href="/wiki/Deutschlandfunk" title="Deutschlandfunk">Deutschlandfunk</a> (in German). 11 November 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20231111101433/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/merz-deutschland-wird-keine-vermittlerrolle-spielen-koennen-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Deutschlandfunk&rft.atitle=CDU-Chef+Merz+verlangt+klare+Botschaft+von+Kanzler+Scholz+an+Pr%C3%A4sident+Erdogan&rft.date=2023-11-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deutschlandfunk.de%2Finterview-merz-friedrich-cdu-bundesvors-vors-der-unions-bundestagsfraktion-dlf-d43e9dcb-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-114"><a href="#cite_ref-114">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLilienström2024" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Lilienström, Sven (21 April 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faces-of-democracy.org/friedrich-merz/">"Friedrich Merz, Vorsitzender der CDU Deutschlands"</a> [Friedrich Merz, Chairman of the CDU Germany]. Gesichter der Demokratie (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112103741/https://www.faces-of-democracy.org/friedrich-merz/">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Gesichter+der+Demokratie&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%2C+Vorsitzender+der+CDU+Deutschlands&rft.date=2024-04-21&rft.aulast=Lilienstr%C3%B6m&rft.aufirst=Sven&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faces-of-democracy.org%2Ffriedrich-merz%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-115"><a href="#cite_ref-115">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.fr.de/politik/streit-um-israel-merz-erzwingt-waffen-zusicherung-von-scholz-zr-93348379.html">"Streit um Israel: Merz erzwingt Waffen-Zusicherung von Scholz"</a> [Disputes over Israel: Merz forces weapons assurance from Scholz]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Rundschau" title="Frankfurter Rundschau">Frankfurter Rundschau</a> (in German). 11 October 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20241116021721/https://www.fr.de/politik/streit-um-israel-merz-erzwingt-waffen-zusicherung-von-scholz-zr-93348379.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Rundschau&rft.atitle=Streit+um+Israel%3A+Merz+erzwingt+Waffen-Zusicherung+von+Scholz&rft.date=2024-10-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fr.de%2Fpolitik%2Fstreit-um-israel-merz-erzwingt-waffen-zusicherung-von-scholz-zr-93348379.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-116"><a href="#cite_ref-116">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAlkousaa2024" class="citation news cs1">Alkousaa, Riham (11 October 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-will-send-more-weapons-israel-soon-scholz-says-2024-10-10/">"Germany will send more weapons to Israel soon, Scholz says"</a>. Reuters. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20241010212404/https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-will-send-more-weapons-israel-soon-scholz-says-2024-10-10/">Archived</a> from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Reuters&rft.atitle=Germany+will+send+more+weapons+to+Israel+soon%2C+Scholz+says&rft.date=2024-10-11&rft.aulast=Alkousaa&rft.aufirst=Riham&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fworld%2Fgermany-will-send-more-weapons-israel-soon-scholz-says-2024-10-10%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-117"><a href="#cite_ref-117">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-einladung-netanjahu-100.html">"Merz will offenbar Netanjahu nach Deutschland einladen"</a>. tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 24 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=Merz+will+offenbar+Netanjahu+nach+Deutschland+einladen&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Finland%2Fmerz-einladung-netanjahu-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-118"><a href="#cite_ref-118">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBasay2024" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Basay, Erbil (10 December 2024). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://dtj-online.de/merz-fuer-mehr-zusammenarbeit-tuerkei-ist-gestaerkt-und-wird-noch-groessere-rolle-spielen/">"Merz für mehr Zusammenarbeit: 'Türkei ist gestärkt und wird noch größere Rolle spielen'"</a> [Merz for more cooperation: "Törkye (Turkey) is strengthened and will play an even greater role"]. DTJ Online (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241210105602/https://dtj-online.de/merz-fuer-mehr-zusammenarbeit-tuerkei-ist-gestaerkt-und-wird-noch-groessere-rolle-spielen/">Archived</a> from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=DTJ+Online&rft.atitle=Merz+f%C3%BCr+mehr+Zusammenarbeit%3A+%27T%C3%BCrkei+ist+gest%C3%A4rkt+und+wird+noch+gr%C3%B6%C3%9Fere+Rolle+spielen%27&rft.date=2024-12-10&rft.aulast=Basay&rft.aufirst=Erbil&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fdtj-online.de%2Fmerz-fuer-mehr-zusammenarbeit-tuerkei-ist-gestaerkt-und-wird-noch-groessere-rolle-spielen%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-119"><a href="#cite_ref-119">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-opposition-leader-calls-for-closer-cooperation-with-turkiye-to-secure-middle-east-peace/3419639">"German opposition leader calls for closer cooperation with Türkiye to secure Middle East peace"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Anadolu_Agency" title="Anadolu Agency">Anadolu Agency</a>. 10 December 2024. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241210055428/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-opposition-leader-calls-for-closer-cooperation-with-turkiye-to-secure-middle-east-peace/3419639">Archived</a> from the original on 10 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Anadolu+Agency&rft.atitle=German+opposition+leader+calls+for+closer+cooperation+with+T%C3%BCrkiye+to+secure+Middle+East+peace&rft.date=2024-12-10&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aa.com.tr%2Fen%2Feurope%2Fgerman-opposition-leader-calls-for-closer-cooperation-with-turkiye-to-secure-middle-east-peace%2F3419639&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-120"><a href="#cite_ref-120">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/germanys-chancellor-in-waiting-backtracks-on-nuclear/">"Germany's chancellor-in-waiting backtracks on nuclear"</a>. Euractiv. 17 January 2025. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250117163621/https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/germanys-chancellor-in-waiting-backtracks-on-nuclear/">Archived</a> from the original on 17 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Euractiv&rft.atitle=Germany%27s+chancellor-in-waiting+backtracks+on+nuclear&rft.date=2025-01-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euractiv.com%2Fsection%2Feet%2Fnews%2Fgermanys-chancellor-in-waiting-backtracks-on-nuclear%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-121"><a href="#cite_ref-121">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.zeit.de/news/2023-04/27/cdu-chef-merz-nehmen-klimaschutz-sehr-ernst">"CDU-Chef Merz: Nehmen Klimaschutz 'sehr ernst'"</a> [CDU leader Merz: Take climate protection "very seriously"]. <a href="/wiki/Die_Zeit" title="Die Zeit">Die Zeit</a>. 27 April 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230427224308/https://www.zeit.de/news/2023-04/27/cdu-chef-merz-nehmen-klimaschutz-sehr-ernst">Archived</a> from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Die+Zeit&rft.atitle=CDU-Chef+Merz%3A+Nehmen+Klimaschutz+%27sehr+ernst%27&rft.date=2023-04-27&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeit.de%2Fnews%2F2023-04%2F27%2Fcdu-chef-merz-nehmen-klimaschutz-sehr-ernst&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-122"><a href="#cite_ref-122">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/merz-sieht-klimaschutz-in-politik-uberbewertet-es-ist-eben-nicht-so-dass-morgen-die-welt-untergeht-9725627.html">"Merz sieht Klimaschutz in Politik überbewertet: 'Es ist eben nicht so, dass morgen die Welt untergeht'"</a> [Merz sees climate protection overrated in politics: 'It's not the case that the world will end tomorrow']. <a href="/wiki/Der_Tagesspiegel" title="Der Tagesspiegel">Der Tagesspiegel</a>. 26 April 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230426162121/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/merz-sieht-klimaschutz-in-politik-uberbewertet-es-ist-eben-nicht-so-dass-morgen-die-welt-untergeht-9725627.html">Archived</a> from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Tagesspiegel&rft.atitle=Merz+sieht+Klimaschutz+in+Politik+%C3%BCberbewertet%3A+%27Es+ist+eben+nicht+so%2C+dass+morgen+die+Welt+untergeht%27&rft.date=2023-04-26&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesspiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fmerz-sieht-klimaschutz-in-politik-uberbewertet-es-ist-eben-nicht-so-dass-morgen-die-welt-untergeht-9725627.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-123"><a href="#cite_ref-123">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCDU2023" class="citation web cs1">@CDU (13 February 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://x.com/CDU/status/1625142054597668864">".@_FriedrichMerz zum geplanten EU-Verbot von #Verbrennungsmotoren: Wir wollen das Ziel der CO2-Neutralität technologieoffen erreichen – nicht mit Verboten. Auch nicht mit dem Verbot des Verbrennungsmotors"</a> [We want to achieve the goal of CO2 neutrality in a technology-neutral way – not with bans. Not even with a ban on the combustion engines.] (<a href="/wiki/Tweet_(social_media)" title="Tweet (social media)">Tweet</a>). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240614002110/https://x.com/CDU/status/1625142054597668864">Archived</a> from the original on 14 June 2024 – via <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=.%40_FriedrichMerz+zum+geplanten+EU-Verbot+von+%23Verbrennungsmotoren%3A+Wir+wollen+das+Ziel+der+CO2-Neutralit%C3%A4t+technologieoffen+erreichen+%E2%80%93+nicht+mit+Verboten.+Auch+nicht+mit+dem+Verbot+des+Verbrennungsmotors.&rft.date=2023-02-13&rft.au=CDU&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FCDU%2Fstatus%2F1625142054597668864&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-124"><a href="#cite_ref-124">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/meet-the-conservative-german-trio-that-could-rule-europe/">"Meet the conservative German trio that could rule Europe"</a>. Euractiv. 17 January 2025. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250117063714/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/meet-the-conservative-german-trio-that-could-rule-europe/">Archived</a> from the original on 17 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Euractiv&rft.atitle=Meet+the+conservative+German+trio+that+could+rule+Europe&rft.date=2025-01-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euractiv.com%2Fsection%2Fpolitics%2Fnews%2Fmeet-the-conservative-german-trio-that-could-rule-europe%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-125"><a href="#cite_ref-125">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/cdu-politiker-merz-bezeichnet-afd-als-offen-nationalsozialistisch/23622712.html">"Merz bezeichnet AfD als 'offen nationalsozialistisch'"</a> [Merz describes AfD as 'openly Nazis']. Tagesspiegel. 12 November 2018. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241110101517/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/cdu-politiker-merz-bezeichnet-afd-als-offen-nationalsozialistisch/23622712.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Tagesspiegel&rft.atitle=Merz+bezeichnet+AfD+als+%27offen+nationalsozialistisch%27&rft.date=2018-11-12&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesspiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fcdu-politiker-merz-bezeichnet-afd-als-offen-nationalsozialistisch%2F23622712.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-focus-10903897-126">^ <a href="#cite_ref-focus-10903897_126-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-focus-10903897_126-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFlau2019" class="citation web cs1">lau (7 July 2019). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/haette-laengst-afd-vizepraesidenten-gewaehlt-merz-fordert-unaufgeregteren-umgang-mit-afd_id_10903897.html">"Merz: 'Ich hätte auch längst im Bundestag einen AfD-Vizepräsidenten gewählt'"</a> [Merz: 'I would have elected an AfD vice president in the Bundestag long ago']. <a href="/wiki/Focus_Online" class="mw-redirect" title="Focus Online">Focus Online</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112110534/https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/haette-laengst-afd-vizepraesidenten-gewaehlt-merz-fordert-unaufgeregteren-umgang-mit-afd_id_10903897.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Focus+Online&rft.atitle=Merz%3A+%27Ich+h%C3%A4tte+auch+l%C3%A4ngst+im+Bundestag+einen+AfD-Vizepr%C3%A4sidenten+gew%C3%A4hlt%27&rft.date=2019-07-07&rft.au=lau&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.focus.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fhaette-laengst-afd-vizepraesidenten-gewaehlt-merz-fordert-unaufgeregteren-umgang-mit-afd_id_10903897.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:8-127"><a href="#cite_ref-:8_127-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFVeit_Medick2021" class="citation cs2">Veit Medick (23 December 2021), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-geht-auf-angela-merkel-zu-a-86dd9f24-51b1-4df8-b509-923bfca2e2fb">"CDU: Friedrich Merz geht auf Angela Merkel zu und will Brandmauer Richtung AfD"</a> [CDU: Friedrich Merz approaches Angela Merkel and wants to build a firewall towards the AfD], Der Spiegel, <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112094256/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-geht-auf-angela-merkel-zu-a-86dd9f24-51b1-4df8-b509-923bfca2e2fb">archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024, retrieved 4 September 2024</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=CDU%3A+Friedrich+Merz+geht+auf+Angela+Merkel+zu+und+will+Brandmauer+Richtung+AfD&rft.date=2021-12-23&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft.au=Veit+Medick&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Ffriedrich-merz-geht-auf-angela-merkel-zu-a-86dd9f24-51b1-4df8-b509-923bfca2e2fb&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-128"><a href="#cite_ref-128">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-afd-kommunen-100.html">"Merz für pragmatischen Umgang mit AfD in Kommunen"</a> [Merz calls for pragmatic approach to AfD in municipalities]. Tagesschau. 23 July 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241110101458/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/merz-afd-kommunen-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Tagesschau&rft.atitle=Merz+f%C3%BCr+pragmatischen+Umgang+mit+AfD+in+Kommunen&rft.date=2023-07-23&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Finland%2Finnenpolitik%2Fmerz-afd-kommunen-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-129"><a href="#cite_ref-129">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.zdf.de/uri/969c7ae8-be44-4fe7-8661-9fdf5b26d713">"ZDF-Sommerinterview mit Friedrich Merz"</a> [ZDF Summer Interview with Friedrich Merz] (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241110101519/https://www.zdf.de/uri/969c7ae8-be44-4fe7-8661-9fdf5b26d713">Archived</a> from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=ZDF-Sommerinterview+mit+Friedrich+Merz&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zdf.de%2Furi%2F969c7ae8-be44-4fe7-8661-9fdf5b26d713&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:3-130">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:3_130-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:3_130-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFOltermann2023" class="citation news cs1">Oltermann, Philip (24 July 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level">"German centre-right leader says he is willing to work with far-right AfD at local level"</a>. <a href="/wiki/The_Guardian" title="The Guardian">The Guardian</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077">0261-3077</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230724002911/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level">Archived</a> from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=German+centre-right+leader+says+he+is+willing+to+work+with+far-right+AfD+at+local+level&rft.date=2023-07-24&rft.issn=0261-3077&rft.aulast=Oltermann&rft.aufirst=Philip&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2023%2Fjul%2F24%2Fgerman-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-131"><a href="#cite_ref-131">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-breite-kritik-aeusserungen-von-friedrich-merz-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-bfcdac8d-4285-4256-825a-16f0bfeffb13">"Breite Kritik an Merz-Äußerungen zur AfD aus eigener Partei"</a> [Widespread criticism of Merz's comments on the AfD from within his own party]. Der Spiegel. 24 July 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241110101521/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-breite-kritik-aeusserungen-von-friedrich-merz-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-bfcdac8d-4285-4256-825a-16f0bfeffb13">Archived</a> from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Breite+Kritik+an+Merz-%C3%84u%C3%9Ferungen+zur+AfD+aus+eigener+Partei&rft.date=2023-07-24&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fcdu-breite-kritik-aeusserungen-von-friedrich-merz-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-bfcdac8d-4285-4256-825a-16f0bfeffb13&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-132"><a href="#cite_ref-132">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation cs2"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-und-afd-michael-kretschmer-wirbt-fuer-pragmatischen-umgang-mit-der-rechtspartei-a-5a478c15-9677-4d2c-9ea1-e912f51f9058">"Sachsens CDU-Ministerpräsident: Kretschmer wirbt für »pragmatischen Umgang« mit der AfD"</a> [Saxony's CDU Minister-President: Kretschmer advocates "pragmatic approach" to the AfD], Der Spiegel, 25 July 2023, <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241111074108/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-und-afd-michael-kretschmer-wirbt-fuer-pragmatischen-umgang-mit-der-rechtspartei-a-5a478c15-9677-4d2c-9ea1-e912f51f9058">archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2024, retrieved 25 July 2023</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Sachsens+CDU-Ministerpr%C3%A4sident%3A+Kretschmer+wirbt+f%C3%BCr+%C2%BBpragmatischen+Umgang%C2%AB+mit+der+AfD&rft.date=2023-07-25&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fcdu-und-afd-michael-kretschmer-wirbt-fuer-pragmatischen-umgang-mit-der-rechtspartei-a-5a478c15-9677-4d2c-9ea1-e912f51f9058&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-133"><a href="#cite_ref-133">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/innenpolitik/id_100196392/friedrich-merz-fuer-starke-afd-ist-die-ampel-verantwortlich.html">"'Wir können so nicht weitermachen': Ist die Ampelregierung schuld an starker AfD?"</a> ["We can't go on like this": Is the traffic light government to blame for the strong AfD?]. t-online (in German). 23 June 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230623182358/https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/innenpolitik/id_100196392/friedrich-merz-fuer-starke-afd-ist-die-ampel-verantwortlich.html">Archived</a> from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=t-online&rft.atitle=%27Wir+k%C3%B6nnen+so+nicht+weitermachen%27%3A+Ist+die+Ampelregierung+schuld+an+starker+AfD%3F&rft.date=2023-06-23&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-online.de%2Fnachrichten%2Fdeutschland%2Finnenpolitik%2Fid_100196392%2Ffriedrich-merz-fuer-starke-afd-ist-die-ampel-verantwortlich.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-134"><a href="#cite_ref-134">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/merz-und-seine-brandmauer-wie-halbiert-man-die-afd-18969309.html">"Merz und seine Brandmauer: Wie halbiert man die AfD?"</a> [Merz and his firewall: How to halve the AfD?]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a> (in German). 17 June 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230621090643/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/merz-und-seine-brandmauer-wie-halbiert-man-die-afd-18969309.html">Archived</a> from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=Merz+und+seine+Brandmauer%3A+Wie+halbiert+man+die+AfD%3F&rft.date=2023-06-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fpolitik%2Finland%2Fmerz-und-seine-brandmauer-wie-halbiert-man-die-afd-18969309.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-135"><a href="#cite_ref-135">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.merkur.de/politik/cdu-union-chef-merz-versprechen-halbierung-afd-umfragen-bundestagswahl-92360082.html">"Plötzlich kleinlaut: Merz nimmt Versprechen zur Halbierung der AfD zurück"</a> [Suddenly subdued: Merz retracts promise to halve AfD!]. merkur.de (in German). 23 June 2023. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230623185437/https://www.merkur.de/politik/cdu-union-chef-merz-versprechen-halbierung-afd-umfragen-bundestagswahl-92360082.html">Archived</a> from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=merkur.de&rft.atitle=Pl%C3%B6tzlich+kleinlaut%3A+Merz+nimmt+Versprechen+zur+Halbierung+der+AfD+zur%C3%BCck&rft.date=2023-06-23&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merkur.de%2Fpolitik%2Fcdu-union-chef-merz-versprechen-halbierung-afd-umfragen-bundestagswahl-92360082.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:20-136">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:20_136-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:20_136-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/interview-merz-migration-100.html">"Merz verteidigt Abstimmung über Unionsantrag zur Migration"</a> [Merz defends vote on Union motion on migration]. tagesschau.de (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250129205604/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/interview-merz-migration-100.html">Archived</a> from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=Merz+verteidigt+Abstimmung+%C3%BCber+Unionsantrag+zur+Migration&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Finland%2Finnenpolitik%2Finterview-merz-migration-100.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-137"><a href="#cite_ref-137">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/politik/merz-schliesst-zusammenarbeit-mit-afd-erneut-aus/">"Merz schließt Zusammenarbeit mit AfD bei Unionsregierung aus"</a>. Jüdische Allgemeine (in German). 2 February 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=J%C3%BCdische+Allgemeine&rft.atitle=Merz+schlie%C3%9Ft+Zusammenarbeit+mit+AfD+bei+Unionsregierung+aus&rft.date=2025-02-02&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.juedische-allgemeine.de%2Fpolitik%2Fmerz-schliesst-zusammenarbeit-mit-afd-erneut-aus%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-138"><a href="#cite_ref-138">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHalasz" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Halasz, Gabor. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-debatte-migration-102.html">"Bundestag zur Asylpolitik: Ein Tabubruch mit Ansage"</a> [Bundestag on asylum policy: A taboo break with announcement]. tagesschau.de (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250129191859/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-debatte-migration-102.html">Archived</a> from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=tagesschau.de&rft.atitle=Bundestag+zur+Asylpolitik%3A+Ein+Tabubruch+mit+Ansage&rft.aulast=Halasz&rft.aufirst=Gabor&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Finland%2Finnenpolitik%2Fbundestag-debatte-migration-102.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-139"><a href="#cite_ref-139">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRuhnow2025" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Ruhnow, Evelin (31 January 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-sammlung-seiner-aussagen-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-52810f3c-6fbf-4668-82bf-22792883333f">"Friedrich Merz: Sammlung seiner Aussagen zur Zusammenarbeit mit der AfD ("Friedrich Merz: Collection of his statements on cooperation with the AfD")"</a>. Der Spiegel (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. Retrieved 22 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+Sammlung+seiner+Aussagen+zur+Zusammenarbeit+mit+der+AfD+%28%22Friedrich+Merz%3A+Collection+of+his+statements+on+cooperation+with+the+AfD%22%29&rft.date=2025-01-31&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft.aulast=Ruhnow&rft.aufirst=Evelin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Ffriedrich-merz-sammlung-seiner-aussagen-zur-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-afd-a-52810f3c-6fbf-4668-82bf-22792883333f&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-140"><a href="#cite_ref-140">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDunz2025" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Dunz, Kristina (31 January 2025). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rnd.de/politik/schaemt-euch-merz-bricht-versprechen-migrationspolitik-und-afd-mehrheit-im-bundestag-6R7DCX4UMJCHHATHNQLDIR57OQ.html">"Schämt Euch! ("Shame on You")"</a>. www.rnd.de (in German). Retrieved 22 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.rnd.de&rft.atitle=Sch%C3%A4mt+Euch%21+%28%22Shame+on+You%22%29&rft.date=2025-01-31&rft.aulast=Dunz&rft.aufirst=Kristina&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rnd.de%2Fpolitik%2Fschaemt-euch-merz-bricht-versprechen-migrationspolitik-und-afd-mehrheit-im-bundestag-6R7DCX4UMJCHHATHNQLDIR57OQ.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-141"><a href="#cite_ref-141">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://taz.de/-Bundestagsdebatte-im-Live-Ticker-/!6066358&s=brandmauer%2Bcdu%2Bafd/">"Merz' Gesetz ist gescheitert"</a> [Merz's law has failed]. Die Tageszeitung: Taz (in German). 31 January 2025. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250207060120/https://taz.de/-Bundestagsdebatte-im-Live-Ticker-/!6066358/">Archived</a> from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Die+Tageszeitung%3A+Taz&rft.atitle=Merz%27+Gesetz+ist+gescheitert&rft.date=2025-01-31&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftaz.de%2F-Bundestagsdebatte-im-Live-Ticker-%2F%216066358%26s%3Dbrandmauer%252Bcdu%252Bafd%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-142"><a href="#cite_ref-142">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-germany-gamble-to-accept-far-right-support-fails-in-parliament-afd-cdu-migration/">"Merz's far-right gamble backfires"</a>. Politico Europe. 31 January 2025. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250207055327/https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-germany-gamble-to-accept-far-right-support-fails-in-parliament-afd-cdu-migration/">Archived</a> from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Politico+Europe&rft.atitle=Merz%27s+far-right+gamble+backfires&rft.date=2025-01-31&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.eu%2Farticle%2Ffriedrich-merz-germany-gamble-to-accept-far-right-support-fails-in-parliament-afd-cdu-migration%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-143"><a href="#cite_ref-143">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/far-right-could-enable-law-first-time-modern-german-history-2025-01-31/">"German parliament rejects migration bill, dealing blow to election frontrunner"</a>. Reuters. 31 January 2025. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250207055405/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/far-right-could-enable-law-first-time-modern-german-history-2025-01-31/">Archived</a> from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Reuters&rft.atitle=German+parliament+rejects+migration+bill%2C+dealing+blow+to+election+frontrunner&rft.date=2025-01-31&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Ffar-right-could-enable-law-first-time-modern-german-history-2025-01-31%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-welt-144">^ <a href="#cite_ref-welt_144-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-welt_144-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html">"Merz und seine 18 Nebentätigkeiten"</a> [Merz and his 18 secondary activities]. welt.de (in German). 10 October 2006. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112090601/https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article158726/Merz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=welt.de&rft.atitle=Merz+und+seine+18+Nebent%C3%A4tigkeiten&rft.date=2006-10-10&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fprint-welt%2Farticle158726%2FMerz-und-seine-18-Nebentaetigkeiten.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-145"><a href="#cite_ref-145">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/mehrfachverdiener-die-klaeger-gegen-das-transparenzgesetz-fotostrecke-16685.html">"Mehrfachverdiener: Die Kläger gegen das Transparenzgesetz"</a> [Multiple earners: The plaintiffs against the Transparency Act]. Der Spiegel. 11 October 2006. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112123929/https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/mehrfachverdiener-die-klaeger-gegen-das-transparenzgesetz-fotostrecke-16685.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Mehrfachverdiener%3A+Die+Kl%C3%A4ger+gegen+das+Transparenzgesetz&rft.date=2006-10-11&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Ffotostrecke%2Fmehrfachverdiener-die-klaeger-gegen-das-transparenzgesetz-fotostrecke-16685.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-146"><a href="#cite_ref-146">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-und-riesenhuber-gehoeren-zu-den-grossverdienern_aid-11187415">"Nebeneinkünfte offengelegt: Merz und Riesenhuber gehören zu den Großverdienern"</a> [Additional income disclosed: Merz and Riesenhuber are among the top earners]. rp-online.de. 6 July 2007. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241111095649/https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/merz-und-riesenhuber-gehoeren-zu-den-grossverdienern_aid-11187415">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=rp-online.de&rft.atitle=Nebeneink%C3%BCnfte+offengelegt%3A+Merz+und+Riesenhuber+geh%C3%B6ren+zu+den+Gro%C3%9Fverdienern&rft.date=2007-07-06&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Frp-online.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fmerz-und-riesenhuber-gehoeren-zu-den-grossverdienern_aid-11187415&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:4-147">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:4_147-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:4_147-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/von-axa-bis-stadler-rail-friedrich-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-fotostrecke-23104.html">"Von Axa bis Stadler Rail: Friedrich Merz' Nebeneinkünfte"</a> [From Axa to Stadler Rail: Friedrich Merz's additional income]. Der Spiegel. 11 July 2007. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241111093702/https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/von-axa-bis-stadler-rail-friedrich-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-fotostrecke-23104.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Von+Axa+bis+Stadler+Rail%3A+Friedrich+Merz%27+Nebeneink%C3%BCnfte&rft.date=2007-07-11&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Ffotostrecke%2Fvon-axa-bis-stadler-rail-friedrich-merz-nebeneinkuenfte-fotostrecke-23104.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-148"><a href="#cite_ref-148">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-493053.html">"Von Axa bis Stadler, Die Nebeneinkünfte des Friedrich Merz"</a> [From Axa to Stadler, The additional income of Friedrich Merz]. manager-magazin.de. 11 July 2007. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241111080400/https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-493053.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=manager-magazin.de&rft.atitle=Von+Axa+bis+Stadler%2C+Die+Nebeneink%C3%BCnfte+des+Friedrich+Merz&rft.date=2007-07-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manager-magazin.de%2Funternehmen%2Fartikel%2Fa-493053.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-149"><a href="#cite_ref-149">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.abgeordnetenwatch.de/profile/friedrich-merz/fragen-antworten?parliament_period=67&answered=All&page=2">"Friedrich Merz – Fragen und Antworten"</a> [Friedrich Merz – Q&As]. abgeordnetenwatch.de (in German). 18 January 2009. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241111070134/https://www.abgeordnetenwatch.de/profile/friedrich-merz/fragen-antworten?parliament_period=67&answered=All&page=2">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=abgeordnetenwatch.de&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz+%E2%80%93+Fragen+und+Antworten&rft.date=2009-01-18&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abgeordnetenwatch.de%2Fprofile%2Ffriedrich-merz%2Ffragen-antworten%3Fparliament_period%3D67%26answered%3DAll%26page%3D2&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-150"><a href="#cite_ref-150">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.welt.de/politik/article1025572/Das-schreibt-Friedrich-Merz-seinen-Waehlern.html">"Brief an die Basis: Das schreibt Friedrich Merz seinen Wählern"</a> [Letter to the base: This is what Friedrich Merz writes to his voters]. welt.de (in German). 14 July 2007. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241111070127/https://www.welt.de/politik/article1025572/Das-schreibt-Friedrich-Merz-seinen-Waehlern.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=welt.de&rft.atitle=Brief+an+die+Basis%3A+Das+schreibt+Friedrich+Merz+seinen+W%C3%A4hlern&rft.date=2007-07-14&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fpolitik%2Farticle1025572%2FDas-schreibt-Friedrich-Merz-seinen-Waehlern.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-151"><a href="#cite_ref-151">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRedaktionsNetzwerk_Deutschland2021" class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (19 March 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.rnd.de/politik/friedrich-merz-will-bei-wahl-in-bundestag-keine-nebentatigkeiten-ausuben-EB4SDRR7NVAFS2Y35LI77B2OAM.html">"Friedrich Merz will bei Wahl in Bundestag keine Nebentätigkeiten ausüben"</a> [Friedrich Merz does not want to take up any secondary activities if elected to the Bundestag] (in German). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112123952/https://www.rnd.de/politik/friedrich-merz-will-bei-wahl-in-bundestag-keine-nebentatigkeiten-ausuben-EB4SDRR7NVAFS2Y35LI77B2OAM.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Friedrich+Merz+will+bei+Wahl+in+Bundestag+keine+Nebent%C3%A4tigkeiten+aus%C3%BCben&rft.date=2021-03-19&rft.au=RedaktionsNetzwerk+Deutschland&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rnd.de%2Fpolitik%2Ffriedrich-merz-will-bei-wahl-in-bundestag-keine-nebentatigkeiten-ausuben-EB4SDRR7NVAFS2Y35LI77B2OAM.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-tagesspiegel_2020-02-18-152"><a href="#cite_ref-tagesspiegel_2020-02-18_152-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFiedler,_Maria2020" class="citation web cs1">Fiedler, Maria (18 February 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/altlasten-des-cdu-politikers-was-friedrich-merz-frueher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte/25555560.html">"Was Friedrich Merz früher forderte – und wie er abstimmte"</a> [What Friedrich Merz demanded in the past – and how he voted?]. Tagesspiegel. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241110095633/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/altlasten-des-cdu-politikers-was-friedrich-merz-frueher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte/25555560.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Tagesspiegel&rft.atitle=Was+Friedrich+Merz+fr%C3%BCher+forderte+%E2%80%93+und+wie+er+abstimmte&rft.date=2020-02-18&rft.au=Fiedler%2C+Maria&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesspiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Faltlasten-des-cdu-politikers-was-friedrich-merz-frueher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte%2F25555560.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-153"><a href="#cite_ref-153">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180424161434/https://www.bundestag.de/abgeordnete/bio/m/merz_fr0.html">"Veröffentlichungspflichtig gemeldet wurden dem Deutschen Bundestag 14 Nebentätigkeiten von 2007"</a> [14 secondary activities from 2007 were reported to the German Bundestag for publication]. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bundestag.de/abgeordnete/bio/m/merz_fr0.html">the original</a> on 24 April 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Ver%C3%B6ffentlichungspflichtig+gemeldet+wurden+dem+Deutschen+Bundestag+14+Nebent%C3%A4tigkeiten+von+2007&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bundestag.de%2Fabgeordnete%2Fbio%2Fm%2Fmerz_fr0.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-154"><a href="#cite_ref-154">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/nebeneinkuenfte-urteil_aid_65462.html">"Volle Breitseite gegen Starjurist Merz"</a> [Full broadside against star lawyer Merz]. Focus Online. 4 July 2007. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241112090621/http://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/nebeneinkuenfte-urteil_aid_65462.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2012.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Volle+Breitseite+gegen+Starjurist+Merz&rft.pub=Focus+Online&rft.date=2007-07-04&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.focus.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2Fnebeneinkuenfte-urteil_aid_65462.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-155"><a href="#cite_ref-155">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBVerfG2007" class="citation web cs1">BVerfG (4 July 2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2007/bvg07-073.html">"Klage der Abgeordneten gegen Offenlegung von Einkünften erfolglos – Pressemitteilung zum Urteil vom 4. Juli 2007 (2 BvE 1/06)"</a> [Lawsuit by MPs against disclosure of income unsuccessful – press release on the judgment of 4 July 2007 (2 BvE 1/06)]. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241111070756/https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2007/bvg07-073.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Klage+der+Abgeordneten+gegen+Offenlegung+von+Eink%C3%BCnften+erfolglos+%E2%80%93+Pressemitteilung+zum+Urteil+vom+4.+Juli+2007+%282+BvE+1%2F06%29&rft.date=2007-07-04&rft.au=BVerfG&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bundesverfassungsgericht.de%2FSharedDocs%2FPressemitteilungen%2FDE%2F2007%2Fbvg07-073.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-:14-156">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:14_156-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:14_156-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-:14_156-2">c</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen">"Friedrich Merz: 'Heute verdiene ich rund eine Million Euro'"</a> [Friedrich Merz: "Today I earn around a million euros"]. Die Zeit (in German). 18 November 2018. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0044-2070">0044-2070</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181118023842/https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2018-11/friedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen">Archived</a> from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Die+Zeit&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+%27Heute+verdiene+ich+rund+eine+Million+Euro%27&rft.date=2018-11-18&rft.issn=0044-2070&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeit.de%2Fpolitik%2Fdeutschland%2F2018-11%2Ffriedrich-merz-cdu-vorsitz-einkommen&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-157"><a href="#cite_ref-157">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBöckingHesse2018" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Böcking, David; Hesse, Martin (15 November 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/friedrich-merz-warum-er-nicht-zur-mittelschicht-gehoert-a-1238635.html">"Friedrich Merz. Warum er nicht zur Mittelschicht gehört"</a> [Friedrich Merz. Why does he not belong to the middle class?]. Der Spiegel (in German). <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2195-1349">2195-1349</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181115160343/https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/friedrich-merz-warum-er-nicht-zur-mittelschicht-gehoert-a-1238635.html">Archived</a> from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz.+Warum+er+nicht+zur+Mittelschicht+geh%C3%B6rt&rft.date=2018-11-15&rft.issn=2195-1349&rft.aulast=B%C3%B6cking&rft.aufirst=David&rft.au=Hesse%2C+Martin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Fwirtschaft%2Fsoziales%2Ffriedrich-merz-warum-er-nicht-zur-mittelschicht-gehoert-a-1238635.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-158"><a href="#cite_ref-158">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/der-millionar-aus-der-gehobenen-mittelschicht-8433718.html">"Friedrich Merz: Der Millionär aus der 'gehobenen Mittelschicht'"</a> [Friedrich Merz: The millionaire from the 'upper middle class']. Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). 15 November 2018. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1865-2263">1865-2263</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181115173120/https://www.manager-magazin.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-als-millionaer-in-der-mittelschicht-a-1238603.html">Archived</a> from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Tagesspiegel+Online&rft.atitle=Friedrich+Merz%3A+Der+Million%C3%A4r+aus+der+%27gehobenen+Mittelschicht%27&rft.date=2018-11-15&rft.issn=1865-2263&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesspiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fder-millionar-aus-der-gehobenen-mittelschicht-8433718.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-159"><a href="#cite_ref-159">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/article4757312/willkommen-auf-echo-delta-kilo-oscar.html">"Willkommen auf Echo Delta Kilo Oscar"</a> [Welcome to Echo Delta Kilo Oscar]. DerWesten (in German). 13 June 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240630104929/https://www.wp.de/staedte/altkreis-brilon/article4757312/willkommen-auf-echo-delta-kilo-oscar.html">Archived</a> from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=DerWesten&rft.atitle=Willkommen+auf+Echo+Delta+Kilo+Oscar&rft.date=2011-06-13&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wp.de%2Fstaedte%2Faltkreis-brilon%2Farticle4757312%2Fwillkommen-auf-echo-delta-kilo-oscar.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-160"><a href="#cite_ref-160">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/was-friedrich-merz-fruher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte-6603298.html">"Altlasten des CDU-Politikers"</a>. Der Tagesspiegel. Retrieved 25 February 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Tagesspiegel&rft.atitle=Altlasten+des+CDU-Politikers&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesspiegel.de%2Fpolitik%2Fwas-friedrich-merz-fruher-forderte-und-wie-er-abstimmte-6603298.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-161"><a href="#cite_ref-161">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/11013733-friedrich-merz-merz-haelt-einfuehrung-ehe-alle-richtig">"Wallstreet Online: Merz hält Einführung der Ehe für alle for richtig"</a> [Wallstreet Online: Merz believes the introduction of marriage for all is right] (in German). 8 December 2018. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200712161201/https://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/11013733-friedrich-merz-merz-haelt-einfuehrung-ehe-alle-richtig">Archived</a> from the original on 12 July 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Wallstreet+Online%3A+Merz+h%C3%A4lt+Einf%C3%BChrung+der+Ehe+f%C3%BCr+alle+for+richtig&rft.date=2018-12-08&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wallstreet-online.de%2Fnachricht%2F11013733-friedrich-merz-merz-haelt-einfuehrung-ehe-alle-richtig&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-162"><a href="#cite_ref-162">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-leadership-hopeful-slammed-for-comments-on-homosexuality/a-55008417">"Potential German chancellor slammed for homosexuality remark"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Deutsche_Welle" title="Deutsche Welle">Deutsche Welle</a>. 22 September 2020. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200922005212/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-leadership-hopeful-slammed-for-comments-on-homosexuality/a-55008417">Archived</a> from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Deutsche+Welle&rft.atitle=Potential+German+chancellor+slammed+for+homosexuality+remark&rft.date=2020-09-22&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fgermany-cdu-leadership-hopeful-slammed-for-comments-on-homosexuality%2Fa-55008417&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-163"><a href="#cite_ref-163">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalstiftung.de/gremien">"Senate"</a>. Deutsche Nationalstiftung. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170718233651/http://www.nationalstiftung.de/gremien">Archived</a> from the original on 18 July 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Deutsche+Nationalstiftung&rft.atitle=Senate&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalstiftung.de%2Fgremien&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-164"><a href="#cite_ref-164">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wirtschaftliche-gesellschaft.de/int-preis-des-westfaelischen-friedens/jury/">"Members of the Jury"</a> [Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe]. Wirtschaftliche Gesellschaft für Westfalen und Lippe. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721162220/https://www.wirtschaftliche-gesellschaft.de/int-preis-des-westfaelischen-friedens/jury/">Archived</a> from the original on 21 July 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Wirtschaftliche+Gesellschaft+f%C3%BCr+Westfalen+und+Lippe&rft.atitle=Members+of+the+Jury&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wirtschaftliche-gesellschaft.de%2Fint-preis-des-westfaelischen-friedens%2Fjury%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-165"><a href="#cite_ref-165">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141847/https://www.kfw.de/Download-Center/Finanzpublikationen/Financial-publications-PDFs/1_Gesch%C3%A4ftsberichte-E/Gesch%C3%A4ftsbericht_2004_E.pdf">"2004 Annual Report"</a> (PDF). <a href="/wiki/KfW" title="KfW">KfW</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.kfw.de/Download-Center/Finanzpublikationen/Financial-publications-PDFs/1_Gesch%C3%A4ftsberichte-E/Gesch%C3%A4ftsbericht_2004_E.pdf">the original</a> (PDF) on 4 November 2016.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=KfW&rft.atitle=2004+Annual+Report&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kfw.de%2FDownload-Center%2FFinanzpublikationen%2FFinancial-publications-PDFs%2F1_Gesch%25C3%25A4ftsberichte-E%2FGesch%25C3%25A4ftsbericht_2004_E.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-166"><a href="#cite_ref-166">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ag-arnsberg.nrw.de/behoerde/gerichtsvorstellung/index.php">"Gerichtsvorstellung: Das Amtsgericht Arnsberg stellt sich vor"</a> [Court presentation: The Arnsberg District Court introduces itself]. Amtsgericht Arnsberg. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201106035308/https://www.wp.de/staedte/arnsberg/mit-grosser-liebe-zum-beruf-id11966866.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Amtsgericht+Arnsberg&rft.atitle=Gerichtsvorstellung%3A+Das+Amtsgericht+Arnsberg+stellt+sich+vor&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ag-arnsberg.nrw.de%2Fbehoerde%2Fgerichtsvorstellung%2Findex.php&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-167"><a href="#cite_ref-167">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAchim_Gieseke2016" class="citation web cs1">Achim Gieseke (2 July 2016). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.wp.de/staedte/arnsberg/mit-grosser-liebe-zum-beruf-id11966866.html">"Mit großer Liebe zum Beruf"</a> [With great love for the profession]. Westfalenpost. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201106035308/https://www.wp.de/staedte/arnsberg/mit-grosser-liebe-zum-beruf-id11966866.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Westfalenpost&rft.atitle=Mit+gro%C3%9Fer+Liebe+zum+Beruf&rft.date=2016-07-02&rft.au=Achim+Gieseke&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wp.de%2Fstaedte%2Farnsberg%2Fmit-grosser-liebe-zum-beruf-id11966866.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-168"><a href="#cite_ref-168">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.merz-stiftung.de/home/">"Friedrich und Charlotte Merz Stiftung"</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240527103320/https://www.merz-stiftung.de/home/">Archived</a> from the original on 27 May 2024.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Friedrich+und+Charlotte+Merz+Stiftung&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merz-stiftung.de%2Fhome%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-faz-aerger-169"><a href="#cite_ref-faz-aerger_169-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPlickert2018" class="citation news cs1">Plickert, Philip (16 July 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/aerger-fuer-die-ludwig-erhard-stiftung-15694317.html">"Ärger für die Ludwig-Erhard-Stiftung"</a> [Troubles for the Ludwig Erhard Foundation]. <a href="/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" title="Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180718104742/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/aerger-fuer-die-ludwig-erhard-stiftung-15694317.html">Archived</a> from the original on 18 July 2018.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Frankfurter+Allgemeine+Zeitung&rft.atitle=%C3%84rger+f%C3%BCr+die+Ludwig-Erhard-Stiftung&rft.date=2018-07-16&rft.aulast=Plickert&rft.aufirst=Philip&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faz.net%2Faktuell%2Fwirtschaft%2Faerger-fuer-die-ludwig-erhard-stiftung-15694317.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFriedrich+Merz" class="Z3988"> </li> </ol></div> </section><div class="mw-heading mw-heading2 section-heading" onclick="mfTempOpenSection(12)"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2></div><section class="mf-section-12 collapsible-block" id="mf-section-12"> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.friedrich-merz.de/">Official website</a> <a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q566257#P856" title="Edit this at Wikidata"><noscript><img alt="Edit this at Wikidata" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/10px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png" decoding="async" width="10" height="10" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="20" data-file-height="20"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 10px;height: 10px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/10px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png" data-alt="Edit this at Wikidata" data-width="10" data-height="10" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/15px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/20px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a> (in German)</li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.die-wirtschaftsnews.de/friedrich-merz-wie-phoenix-aus-der-asche/">German article about his political comeback / die-wirtschaftsnews</a></li></ul> <table class="wikitable succession-box noprint" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:small;clear:both;"> <tbody><tr> <th colspan="3" style="border-top: 5px solid #ccccff;">Political offices </th></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td style="width:30%;" rowspan="1">Preceded by<div style="font-weight: bold"><a href="/wiki/Wolfgang_Sch%C3%A4uble" title="Wolfgang Schäuble">Wolfgang Schäuble</a></div> </td> <td style="width: 40%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"> <a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_opposition_(Germany)" class="mw-redirect" title="Leader of the opposition (Germany)">Leader of the Opposition</a> 2000–2002 </td> <td style="width: 30%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1">Succeeded by<div style="font-weight: bold"><a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Angela Merkel</a></div> </td></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td style="width:30%;" rowspan="1">Preceded by<div style="font-weight: bold"><a href="/wiki/Ralph_Brinkhaus" title="Ralph Brinkhaus">Ralph Brinkhaus</a></div> </td> <td style="width: 40%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"> <a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_opposition_(Germany)" class="mw-redirect" title="Leader of the opposition (Germany)">Leader of the Opposition</a> 2022–present </td> <td style="width: 30%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1">Incumbent </td></tr> <tr> <th colspan="3" style="border-top: 5px solid #FFBF00;">Party political offices </th></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td style="width:30%;" rowspan="1">Preceded by<div style="font-weight: bold"><a href="/wiki/Wolfgang_Sch%C3%A4uble" title="Wolfgang Schäuble">Wolfgang Schäuble</a></div> </td> <td style="width: 40%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"> <a href="/wiki/CDU/CSU" title="CDU/CSU">Leader of the CDU/CSU</a> <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">in the Bundestag</a> 2000–2002 </td> <td style="width: 30%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1">Succeeded by<div style="font-weight: bold"><a href="/wiki/Angela_Merkel" title="Angela Merkel">Angela Merkel</a></div> </td></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td style="width:30%;" rowspan="1">Preceded by<div style="font-weight: bold"><a href="/wiki/Armin_Laschet" title="Armin Laschet">Armin Laschet</a></div> </td> <td style="width: 40%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"> <a href="/wiki/Leader_of_the_Christian_Democratic_Union" title="Leader of the Christian Democratic Union">Leader of the Christian Democratic Union</a> 2022–present </td> <td style="width: 30%; text-align: center;" rowspan="2">Incumbent </td></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td style="width:30%;" rowspan="1">Preceded by<div style="font-weight: bold"><a href="/wiki/Ralph_Brinkhaus" title="Ralph Brinkhaus">Ralph Brinkhaus</a></div> </td> <td style="width: 40%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"> <a href="/wiki/CDU/CSU" title="CDU/CSU">Leader of the CDU/CSU</a> <a href="/wiki/Bundestag" title="Bundestag">in the Bundestag </a> 2022–present </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236075235">.mw-parser-output .navbox{box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:100%;clear:both;font-size:88%;text-align:center;padding:1px;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbox{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox-styles+.navbox{margin-top:-1px}.mw-parser-output .navbox-inner,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup{width:100%}.mw-parser-output .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-title,.mw-parser-output .navbox-abovebelow{padding:0.25em 1em;line-height:1.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .navbox-group{white-space:nowrap;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup{background-color:#fdfdfd}.mw-parser-output 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.portal-bar-content-related{border-top:none;margin:0;list-style:none}}.mw-parser-output .navbox+link+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .navbox+style+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .navbox+link+.portal-bar-bordered,.mw-parser-output .navbox+style+.portal-bar-bordered,.mw-parser-output .sister-bar+link+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .sister-bar+style+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .portal-bar+.navbox-styles+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .portal-bar+.navbox-styles+.sister-bar{margin-top:-1px}</style><div class="portal-bar noprint metadata noviewer portal-bar-bordered" role="navigation" aria-label="Portals"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals" title="Wikipedia:Contents/Portals">Portals</a>:<ul class="portal-bar-content"><li class="portal-bar-item"><noscript><img alt="flag" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/21px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" decoding="async" width="21" height="13" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 21px;height: 13px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/21px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" data-alt="flag" data-width="21" data-height="13" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/32px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/42px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 2x" data-class="mw-file-element">  <a href="/wiki/Portal:Germany" title="Portal:Germany">Germany</a></li><li class="portal-bar-item"><a href="/wiki/File:A_coloured_voting_box.svg" class="mw-file-description"><noscript><img alt="icon" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/A_coloured_voting_box.svg/19px-A_coloured_voting_box.svg.png" decoding="async" width="19" height="19" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="160" data-file-height="160"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 19px;height: 19px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/A_coloured_voting_box.svg/19px-A_coloured_voting_box.svg.png" data-alt="icon" data-width="19" data-height="19" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/A_coloured_voting_box.svg/29px-A_coloured_voting_box.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/A_coloured_voting_box.svg/38px-A_coloured_voting_box.svg.png 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> </a> <a href="/wiki/Portal:Politics" title="Portal:Politics">Politics</a></li><li class="portal-bar-item"><noscript><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/P_vip.svg/19px-P_vip.svg.png" decoding="async" width="19" height="19" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="1911" data-file-height="1944"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 19px;height: 19px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/P_vip.svg/19px-P_vip.svg.png" data-alt="" data-width="19" data-height="19" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/P_vip.svg/28px-P_vip.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/P_vip.svg/37px-P_vip.svg.png 2x" data-class="mw-file-element">  <a href="/wiki/Portal:Biography" title="Portal:Biography">Biography</a></li><li class="portal-bar-item"><noscript><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg/18px-DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg.png" decoding="async" width="18" height="19" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="249" data-file-height="268"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 18px;height: 19px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg/18px-DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg.png" data-alt="" data-width="18" data-height="19" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg/27px-DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg/35px-DodgerBlue_flag_waving.svg.png 2x" data-class="mw-file-element">  <a href="/wiki/Portal:Conservatism" title="Portal:Conservatism">Conservatism</a></li></ul></div><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236088147">.mw-parser-output .sister-bar{display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:baseline;font-size:88%;background-color:#fdfdfd;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;clear:both;margin:1em 0 0;padding:0 2em}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-header{margin:0 1em 0 0.5em;padding:0.2em 0;flex:0 0 auto;min-height:24px;line-height:22px}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-content{display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;flex:0 1 auto;align-items:baseline;padding:0.2em 0;column-gap:1em;margin:0;list-style:none}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-item{display:flex;align-items:baseline;margin:0.15em 0;min-height:24px;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-logo{width:22px;line-height:22px;margin:0 0.2em;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-link{margin:0 0.2em;text-align:left}@media screen and (max-width:960px){.mw-parser-output .sister-bar{flex-flow:column wrap;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-header{flex:0 1}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-content{flex:1;border-top:1px solid #a2a9b1;margin:0;list-style:none}.mw-parser-output .sister-bar-item{flex:0 0 20em;min-width:20em}}.mw-parser-output .navbox+link+.sister-bar,.mw-parser-output .navbox+style+.sister-bar,.mw-parser-output .portal-bar+link+.sister-bar,.mw-parser-output .portal-bar+style+.sister-bar,.mw-parser-output .sister-bar+.navbox-styles+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .sister-bar+.navbox-styles+.portal-bar{margin-top:-1px}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .sister-bar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="noprint metadata sister-bar" role="navigation" aria-label="sister-projects"><div class="sister-bar-header">Friedrich Merz at Wikipedia's <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_sister_projects" title="Wikipedia:Wikimedia sister projects">sister projects</a>:</div><ul class="sister-bar-content"><li class="sister-bar-item"><noscript><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/14px-Commons-logo.svg.png" decoding="async" width="14" height="19" class="mw-file-element" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="1376"></noscript><span class="lazy-image-placeholder" style="width: 14px;height: 19px;" data-mw-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/14px-Commons-logo.svg.png" data-alt="" data-width="14" data-height="19" data-mw-srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/21px-Commons-logo.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/28px-Commons-logo.svg.png 2x" data-class="mw-file-element"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Friedrich_Merz" class="extiw" title="c:Category:Friedrich Merz">Media</a> from Commons</li></ul></div>    </section></div> <noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=mobile&type=1x1&usesul3=0" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Friedrich_Merz&oldid=1277592279">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Friedrich_Merz&oldid=1277592279</a>"</div></div> </div> <div class="post-content" id="page-secondary-actions"> </div> </main> <footer class="mw-footer minerva-footer" role="contentinfo"> <a class="last-modified-bar" href="/w/index.php?title=Friedrich_Merz&action=history"> <div class="post-content last-modified-bar__content"> Last edited on 25 February 2025, at 15:46 </div> </a> <div class="post-content footer-content"> <div id='mw-data-after-content'> <div class="read-more-container"></div> </div> <div id="p-lang"> <h4>Languages</h4> <section> <ul id="p-variants" class="minerva-languages"></ul> <ul class="minerva-languages"><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-af mw-list-item"><a href="https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Afrikaans" lang="af" hreflang="af" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Afrikaans" data-language-local-name="Afrikaans" class="interlanguage-link-target">Afrikaans</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ar mw-list-item"><a href="https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B4_%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B3" title="فريدرش ميرتس – Arabic" lang="ar" hreflang="ar" data-title="فريدرش ميرتس" data-language-autonym="العربية" data-language-local-name="Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target">العربية</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-an mw-list-item"><a href="https://an.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Aragonese" lang="an" hreflang="an" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Aragonés" data-language-local-name="Aragonese" class="interlanguage-link-target">Aragonés</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-be mw-list-item"><a href="https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%8B%D1%85_%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%86" title="Фрыдрых Мерц – Belarusian" lang="be" hreflang="be" data-title="Фрыдрых Мерц" data-language-autonym="Беларуская" data-language-local-name="Belarusian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Беларуская</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-be-x-old mw-list-item"><a href="https://be-tarask.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%8B%D1%85_%D0%9C%D1%8D%D1%80%D1%86" title="Фрыдрых Мэрц – Belarusian (Taraškievica orthography)" lang="be-tarask" hreflang="be-tarask" data-title="Фрыдрых Мэрц" data-language-autonym="Беларуская (тарашкевіца)" data-language-local-name="Belarusian (Taraškievica orthography)" class="interlanguage-link-target">Беларуская (тарашкевіца)</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bs mw-list-item"><a href="https://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Bosnian" lang="bs" hreflang="bs" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Bosanski" data-language-local-name="Bosnian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Bosanski</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ca mw-list-item"><a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Catalan" lang="ca" hreflang="ca" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Català" data-language-local-name="Catalan" class="interlanguage-link-target">Català</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-cv mw-list-item"><a href="https://cv.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%85_%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%86" title="Фридрих Мерц – Chuvash" lang="cv" hreflang="cv" data-title="Фридрих Мерц" data-language-autonym="Чӑвашла" data-language-local-name="Chuvash" class="interlanguage-link-target">Чӑвашла</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-cs mw-list-item"><a href="https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Czech" lang="cs" hreflang="cs" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Čeština" data-language-local-name="Czech" class="interlanguage-link-target">Čeština</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-da mw-list-item"><a href="https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Danish" lang="da" hreflang="da" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Dansk" data-language-local-name="Danish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Dansk</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-de mw-list-item"><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – German" lang="de" hreflang="de" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Deutsch" data-language-local-name="German" class="interlanguage-link-target">Deutsch</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-et mw-list-item"><a href="https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Estonian" lang="et" hreflang="et" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Eesti" data-language-local-name="Estonian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Eesti</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-el mw-list-item"><a href="https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A6%CF%81%CE%AF%CE%BD%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B9%CF%87_%CE%9C%CE%B5%CF%81%CF%84%CF%82" title="Φρίντριχ Μερτς – Greek" lang="el" hreflang="el" data-title="Φρίντριχ Μερτς" data-language-autonym="Ελληνικά" data-language-local-name="Greek" class="interlanguage-link-target">Ελληνικά</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Español</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-eo mw-list-item"><a href="https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Esperanto" lang="eo" hreflang="eo" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Esperanto" data-language-local-name="Esperanto" class="interlanguage-link-target">Esperanto</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fa mw-list-item"><a href="https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B4_%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B3" title="فریدریش مرتس – Persian" lang="fa" hreflang="fa" data-title="فریدریش مرتس" data-language-autonym="فارسی" data-language-local-name="Persian" class="interlanguage-link-target">فارسی</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target">Français</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ga mw-list-item"><a href="https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Irish" lang="ga" hreflang="ga" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Gaeilge" data-language-local-name="Irish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Gaeilge</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ko mw-list-item"><a href="https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%ED%94%84%EB%A6%AC%EB%93%9C%EB%A6%AC%ED%9E%88_%EB%A9%94%EB%A5%B4%EC%B8%A0" title="프리드리히 메르츠 – Korean" lang="ko" hreflang="ko" data-title="프리드리히 메르츠" data-language-autonym="한국어" data-language-local-name="Korean" class="interlanguage-link-target">한국어</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hy mw-list-item"><a href="https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D5%96%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%A4%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%AD_%D5%84%D5%A5%D6%80%D6%81" title="Ֆրիդրիխ Մերց – Armenian" lang="hy" hreflang="hy" data-title="Ֆրիդրիխ Մերց" data-language-autonym="Հայերեն" data-language-local-name="Armenian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Հայերեն</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-id mw-list-item"><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Indonesian" lang="id" hreflang="id" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Indonesia" data-language-local-name="Indonesian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Bahasa Indonesia</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ie mw-list-item"><a href="https://ie.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Interlingue" lang="ie" hreflang="ie" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Interlingue" data-language-local-name="Interlingue" class="interlanguage-link-target">Interlingue</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-is mw-list-item"><a href="https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Icelandic" lang="is" hreflang="is" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Íslenska" data-language-local-name="Icelandic" class="interlanguage-link-target">Íslenska</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-it mw-list-item"><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Italian" lang="it" hreflang="it" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Italiano" data-language-local-name="Italian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Italiano</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-he mw-list-item"><a href="https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9A_%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%A5" title="פרידריך מרץ – Hebrew" lang="he" hreflang="he" data-title="פרידריך מרץ" data-language-autonym="עברית" data-language-local-name="Hebrew" class="interlanguage-link-target">עברית</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ka mw-list-item"><a href="https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%A4%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98%E1%83%AE_%E1%83%9B%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98" title="ფრიდრიხ მერცი – Georgian" lang="ka" hreflang="ka" data-title="ფრიდრიხ მერცი" data-language-autonym="ქართული" data-language-local-name="Georgian" class="interlanguage-link-target">ქართული</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-la mw-list-item"><a href="https://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridericus_Merz" title="Fridericus Merz – Latin" lang="la" hreflang="la" data-title="Fridericus Merz" data-language-autonym="Latina" data-language-local-name="Latin" class="interlanguage-link-target">Latina</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-lv mw-list-item"><a href="https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C4%ABdrihs_Mercs" title="Frīdrihs Mercs – Latvian" lang="lv" hreflang="lv" data-title="Frīdrihs Mercs" data-language-autonym="Latviešu" data-language-local-name="Latvian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Latviešu</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hu mw-list-item"><a href="https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Hungarian" lang="hu" hreflang="hu" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Magyar" data-language-local-name="Hungarian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Magyar</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-arz mw-list-item"><a href="https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B4_%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B3" title="فريدرش ميرتس – Egyptian Arabic" lang="arz" hreflang="arz" data-title="فريدرش ميرتس" data-language-autonym="مصرى" data-language-local-name="Egyptian Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target">مصرى</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-nl mw-list-item"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Dutch" lang="nl" hreflang="nl" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Nederlands" data-language-local-name="Dutch" class="interlanguage-link-target">Nederlands</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ja mw-list-item"><a href="https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%83%AA%E3%83%92%E3%83%BB%E3%83%A1%E3%83%AB%E3%83%84" title="フリードリヒ・メルツ – Japanese" lang="ja" hreflang="ja" data-title="フリードリヒ・メルツ" data-language-autonym="日本語" data-language-local-name="Japanese" class="interlanguage-link-target">日本語</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-no mw-list-item"><a href="https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Norwegian Bokmål" lang="nb" hreflang="nb" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Norsk bokmål" data-language-local-name="Norwegian Bokmål" class="interlanguage-link-target">Norsk bokmål</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-uz mw-list-item"><a href="https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Uzbek" lang="uz" hreflang="uz" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча" data-language-local-name="Uzbek" class="interlanguage-link-target">Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pl mw-list-item"><a href="https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Polish" lang="pl" hreflang="pl" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Polski" data-language-local-name="Polish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Polski</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target">Português</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ro mw-list-item"><a href="https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Romanian" lang="ro" hreflang="ro" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Română" data-language-local-name="Romanian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Română</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ru mw-list-item"><a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%86,_%D0%A4%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%85" title="Мерц, Фридрих – Russian" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" data-title="Мерц, Фридрих" data-language-autonym="Русский" data-language-local-name="Russian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Русский</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sq mw-list-item"><a href="https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Albanian" lang="sq" hreflang="sq" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Shqip" data-language-local-name="Albanian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Shqip</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-simple mw-list-item"><a href="https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Simple English" lang="en-simple" hreflang="en-simple" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Simple English" data-language-local-name="Simple English" class="interlanguage-link-target">Simple English</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sr mw-list-item"><a href="https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%85_%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%86" title="Фридрих Мерц – Serbian" lang="sr" hreflang="sr" data-title="Фридрих Мерц" data-language-autonym="Српски / srpski" data-language-local-name="Serbian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Српски / srpski</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fi mw-list-item"><a href="https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Finnish" lang="fi" hreflang="fi" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Suomi" data-language-local-name="Finnish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Suomi</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sv mw-list-item"><a href="https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Swedish" lang="sv" hreflang="sv" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Svenska" data-language-local-name="Swedish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Svenska</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-tr mw-list-item"><a href="https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz" title="Friedrich Merz – Turkish" lang="tr" hreflang="tr" data-title="Friedrich Merz" data-language-autonym="Türkçe" data-language-local-name="Turkish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Türkçe</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-uk mw-list-item"><a href="https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D1%80%D1%96%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%96%D1%85_%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%86" title="Фрідріх Мерц – Ukrainian" lang="uk" hreflang="uk" data-title="Фрідріх Мерц" data-language-autonym="Українська" data-language-local-name="Ukrainian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Українська</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ur mw-list-item"><a href="https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%88%D8%B1%DA%A9_%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B2" title="فریڈرک مرز – Urdu" lang="ur" hreflang="ur" data-title="فریڈرک مرز" data-language-autonym="اردو" data-language-local-name="Urdu" class="interlanguage-link-target">اردو</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-zh mw-list-item"><a href="https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BC%97%E9%87%8C%E5%BE%B7%E9%87%8C%E5%B8%8C%C2%B7%E9%BB%98%E8%8C%A8" 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