Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) rejected the term “Flachzange” (flat pliers) used by AfD leader Alice Weidel. Speaking to RTL’s program “Am Tisch mit Merz” on Thursday, Merz commented, “Ms. Weidel needs to know for herself whether she adopts that kind of language.” He stressed that despite the hate and anger visible in social media, politicians should behave respectfully toward one another. While acknowledging that he is not restrained in his rhetoric toward political opponents-stating he gives them “nothing”-Merz maintained that he tries not to personally belittle them. However, he added that in the substance of the debate, people are free to “argue fiercely” and to engage in intense conflict.
When pointed out that he had previously told Olaf Scholz that the Chancellor could not manage, Merz conceded: “I have to hold myself accountable for that. And that is legitimate.” Simultaneously, he pointed to his personal relationships with former heads of government. Merz asserted, “I served as opposition leader twice. I had a personally good relationship with both Gerhard Schröder and Olaf Scholz,” saying, “We spoke reasonably with each other; we never kept it secret. That is my style, and I want to keep it that way.”
Looking at his polling data, which is noticeably weaker than those of Scholz (SPD) and Angela Merkel (CDU), Merz defended his previous government achievements. He criticized Scholz’s time in power, stating that “Olaf Scholz had a government that no longer followed him, and that government failed.” In contrast, Merz intends to prove through his current administration that successful collaboration is achievable. His stated goal is to unite his government “so that we can achieve the best for this country together.”
