Statements made by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) at a recent “Summer Press Conference” have once again drawn criticism from journalists at the “Westfalenpost” in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia.
The conflict originated during a press session held in the Sauerland. Merz participated in a discussion at Hennesee regarding his performance as a constituency representative. Following this event, the “Westfalenpost” had criticized the matter shortly after publishing an online report, suggesting that the Chancellor’s literal quotes should have been submitted to the Federal Press Office prior to publication.
The issue was subsequently brought up by a reporter from Deutschlandfunk during the Federal Press Conference in Berlin on Wednesday. Merz was immediately aware of the inquiry. Speaking to the capital press, the Chancellor stated that the Hennesee meeting was a “press background talk,” in which quotes are “usually” approved.
The “Westfalenpost” immediately challenged this description, publishing online on Wednesday evening that this characterization was inaccurate. The newspaper asserted that Merz had invited regional media to a “summer press talk” as a constituency representative, a format that was not designated as a “background talk.” Furthermore, Merz’s staff at the time indicated to the attending journalists that the conversation was “under 1,” a term in journalistic practice meaning that a statement or piece of information can be published and cited without restriction.
The “Westfalenpost” went on to argue that the Federal Press Office’s remit is to manage the communication of the Federal Chancellor and the government, not that of constituency representative Friedrich Merz. The paper hinted that such a procedure might be intended to prevent the release of thoughtless comments. As an example, the newspaper referenced an incident in April when the Chancellor made remarks at a school in Marsberg, stating that U.S. President Donald Trump lacked a concept regarding the Iran war and that the Iranians were humiliating the American people-comments that promptly caused friction with the White House.
The “Westfalenpost” editorial editor, Jost Lübben, concluded by stating that since Merz answered questions openly before microphones and cameras during the Sauerland press session, the demand to submit quotes beforehand appears nonsensical.
