Friedrich Merz

Germany's Merz picks first woman chief of staff in shake-up before state elections

Warken will be the first woman to hold her new post, an important position that serves as a node between the chancellery, ministries and lawmakers.

|ByREUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (2ndR), outgoing German Health Minister Nina Warken, outgoing parliamentary State Secretary in the Digital Ministry Philipp Amthor and outgoing Secretary General of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Carsten Linnemann (R), July 23, 2026.
Maximilian Krah, Alternative for Germany (AfD) party member and member of the European Parliament of the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, speaks during the European election assembly 2023 of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Magdeburg, Germany, July 29, 2023.

German intelligence flags rise in AfD's right-wing extremist potential

The AfD rejects the accusations that its views are extremist and has said the intelligence service's assessments are politically motivated.

|ByREUTERS
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses delegates during a high-level meeting of heads of state on a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2025.

UN secretary-general, world leaders praise US, Iran for reaching peace agreement

European officials reaffirmed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the "resumption of maritime traffic," to be done "urgently" and "unconditionally," without any toll restrictions.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
US Army soldiers carry a simulated casualty into a MEDEVAC vehicle during NATO's Sword 26 exercise, which tests new battlefield evacuation methods using drones and AI-assisted medical technology in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, May 11, 2026.

US weighing accelerated troop drawdown in Europe - report

Washington announced plans in May to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany, widely seen as the consequence of a rift over the Iran war between President Donald Trump and European powers.

|ByREUTERS

Israel does the dirty work – and Europe fires back with sanctions - opinion

While Israel is fighting a war for its survival, Europe is distracting it on two levels - on the leadership level and on the people's level.

JUNE 24, 2025ByGOL KALEV
ON DAY ONE, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled Israel’s operation in Iran ‘concerning,’ characterized it as an escalation, and urged ‘all parties to step back and reduce tensions,’ the writer notes.

Germany's Merz sees no reason to criticize Israeli, US attacks on Iran

"There is no reason for us to criticize what Israel started a week ago, nor is there any reason to criticize what America did last weekend," Merz said. NATO's Rutte defended the US's attack as well.

JUNE 23, 2025ByREUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during an industrial sector association BDI event in Berlin, Germany, June 23, 2025.

Germany's Merz urges moderation in call with Netanyahu, source says

Germany plans to host nuclear talks with its European partners and the Iranian foreign minister at its permanent representation in Geneva.

JUNE 19, 2025ByREUTERS
Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hosts then-German Leader of the Opposition, Friedrich Merz, (L) in Jerusalem, February 12, 2024.

Merz: 'Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us by striking Iran, lacks necessary weapons'

German Chancellor Merz has praised Israel for doing the 'dirty work' for everyone, but said that Israel also lacked the necessary weapons.

JUNE 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz attends a press conference following the German general election in Berlin, Germany, February 24, 2025.