Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams recently suggested that CDU leader Friedrich Merz should step down, stating that one should know when to leave if it becomes evident that they are no longer desired. Speaking to Stern, Adams advised that if this situation arises, one should simply bow, thank people, and pass the baton to the next person. He expressed the view that no one needs to be an expert to realize that Merz is not an exceptionally popular chancellor, noting that based on his conversations in Germany, the public is not particularly impressed by him.
Shifting focus to international politics, Adams criticized Donald Trump’s recurring demand that Canada become the 51st U.S. state, calling the suggestions “absurd.” However, he observed that one has learned that the more outlandish the ideas sound, the more seriously they must be taken. Nevertheless, Adams concluded that they should not waste time discussing Trump and should limit their attention to the U.S. President.
On his new album, Adams dedicated a specific protest song to the American leader. In “51st State,” he strongly rejects Trump’s annexation plans, stressing that the overwhelming majority of Canadians have absolutely no interest in becoming American citizens. He stressed that Canada is a fundamentally different country from the United States.
More broadly, Adams perceives a growing sense of alienation between the political class and the general population, particularly in France, but also in Great Britain and Germany. In his view, a key problem shared by most heads of state and government is their failure to genuinely listen to their people.
On a more hopeful note, Adams explicitly welcomed Canada’s increasingly closer political engagement with the European Union. When asked about a special form of EU membership for Canada, he stated that he believed the two entities could benefit each other greatly and learn a great deal from one another.
