Road to the Chancellery: Friedrich Merz – his people, his plan, his problems | Capital+
Election winner with many challenges: Friedrich Merz last Sunday
© Halil Sagirkaya / Anadolu / Picture Alliance
by Julius Betschka, Miriam Hollstein, Veit Medick and Jan Rosenkranz
9 minutesNever governed, always impulsive: In the midst of the geopolitical whirlwind, Friedrich Merz's foreseeable chancellorship is an adventure. And an opportunity
Friedrich Merz likes to talk about the first time he met Helmut Kohl, his great political role model. Merz was visiting the Chancellery at the time, more than 30 years ago. Kohl had invited a few CDU MEPs to an exchange. The discussion focused on the big questions, the state of the continent, transatlantic relations. And there was wine.
Merz asked the Chancellor whether he could have a Pilsner. Kohl, who is from the Palatinate and prefers wine, seemed irritated. He replied that he would have to ask whether there was any beer in the Chancellery. A little later, Kohl's staff brought a bottle. Merz checked the label: expired.
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