Challenges Faced by Friedrich Merz: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Friedrich Merz. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Friedrich Merz is a prominent German politician, currently serving as the Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since January 2022. He also led the CDU/CSU parliamentary group and served as Leader of the Opposition in the Bundestag. In September 2024, Merz became the Union's candidate for Chancellor of Germany ahead of the 2025 federal election. The CDU won the most seats, and a CDU/CSU coalition with the SPD was formed, projecting Merz to become Chancellor on May 6, 2025. However, he failed to secure a parliamentary majority in the initial vote, a historic first for a German chancellor candidate.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1971: Left Gymnasium Petrinum Brilon

In 1971, Merz left the Gymnasium Petrinum Brilon for disciplinary reasons.

2002: Elected Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader

After the 2002 federal election, Angela Merkel claimed the parliamentary group chairmanship for herself, while Merz was elected deputy parliamentary group leader.

2002: Secondary Jobs as a Member of the Bundestag

In the 14th legislative period (2002–2005), Friedrich Merz had a total of 18 secondary jobs as a member of the Bundestag (federal parliament of Germany).

2005: Secondary Jobs as a Member of the Bundestag

In the 14th legislative period (2002–2005), Friedrich Merz had a total of 18 secondary jobs as a member of the Bundestag (federal parliament of Germany).

October 2006: Hearing on Disclosure of Secondary Income

In October 2006, Friedrich Merz pointed out that according to Article 38 of the Basic Law of Germany (constitution), members of parliament are "not bound by instructions and are subject only to their conscience" during the hearing regarding the disclosure of their secondary income.

2006: Multiple Board Memberships

In 2006, Friedrich Merz was represented on the boards of eight different companies.

2006: Filed Complaint at Federal Constitutional Court

In 2006, Merz was one of nine parliamentarians who filed a complaint at the Federal Constitutional Court against the disclosure of additional sources of income; the complaint was ultimately unsuccessful.

July 2007: Federal Constitutional Court Vote

In July 2007, the Federal Constitutional Court voted four to four to reject a lawsuit against the disclosure of secondary income, emphasizing the importance of the political mandate and concerns about potential bias from external payments.

2007: Defense Against Criticism of Secondary Activities

In 2007, Friedrich Merz wrote a letter to his voters in an attempt to defend himself against criticism of his secondary activities.

2007: Manager Magazine Article on Secondary Jobs

In 2007, Manager Magazine wrote about Friedrich Merz's secondary jobs.

2009: Secondary Jobs as a Member of the Bundestag

In the 15th legislative period (2005–2009), Friedrich Merz had at least 11 secondary jobs as a member of the Bundestag (federal parliament of Germany).

December 2018: Defeated in Leadership Election

On 7 December 2018, in the second round of the leadership election, Merz was defeated by Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

January 2021: Failed to Win Leadership Election

In January 2021, Merz failed to win the position in a leadership election.

January 2021: Failed to Win Party President's Post

On 15–16 January 2021, Merz failed to win the CDU party president's post for the second time, receiving 466 votes out of 1001 delegates, while Laschet received 521 votes.

December 2021: Warning Against Cooperation with AfD

In December 2021, shortly before becoming party chairman, Friedrich Merz declared that any CDU state associations cooperating with the AfD would face party exclusion.

June 2023: Restricting Cooperation Ban with AfD

In June 2023, Friedrich Merz declared that cooperation with the AfD would only be prohibited in legislative bodies at the EU, federal, and state levels, which was a retraction from his earlier promise to halve the AfD.

2023: Merz calls for rethinking ties with China

In 2023, Friedrich Merz called for Germany to involve key allies, especially France, in negotiations with China as part of a rethinking of ties with the country. He called China "an increasing threat to [German] security".

November 2024: Proposal on Voting Strategy

In November 2024, Friedrich Merz proposed that the CDU should only put questions to the vote that would find a majority without the AfD.

December 2024: Merz on Taurus cruise missiles

In December 2024, Merz said that Germany is letting Ukraine fight with one arm strapped on its back and Germany should instead give Ukraine the possibility to defend itself effectively with weapons from Germany.

2024: Merz criticizes Trump's trade war and calls for independence from America

In 2024, Merz criticized Donald Trump's trade war against Europe and expressed a desire to make Germany "a little more independent from America". He also stated that Germany "must go from being a sleeping middle power to becoming a leading middle power again".

January 2025: Rejection of Coalition with AfD and Subsequent Motion

In early January 2025, Friedrich Merz passionately ruled out any cooperation between the CDU and AfD, stating that the CDU would "sell its soul". Later that month, the CDU, influenced by a deadly knife attack, issued a motion on migration that passed due to the AfD's support, ignoring Merz's previous proposal to avoid votes dependent on AfD support. The proposed legislation was later rejected due to abstentions from CDU legislators.

February 2025: Merz suggests nuclear security discussions with France and UK

In February 2025, Merz proposed Germany negotiate with France and the United Kingdom about extending their nuclear umbrella to Germany. He suggested discussions about nuclear sharing or security from the UK and France, potentially applying to Germany. The move to reconvene the old Bundestag were criticized. Merz received international support for the financial package from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

March 2025: Merz proposed increase in defence spending

In March 2025, Friedrich Merz proposed a significant increase in defence spending for Germany, suggesting an amendment to the Basic Law to exempt defence spending above 1% of GDP from the debt brake. This would allow Germany to increase its debt to finance its military and provide assistance to Ukraine. German lawmakers approved the amendment to the Basic Law, allowing the government to spend €500 billion on infrastructure and green energy and exempt defence spending from the debt brake, which allows an unlimited debt-based financing of defence spending. Merz cited the threat from Russia as justification.

May 2025: Projected Chancellor of Germany

In May 2025, Friedrich Merz was projected to become the next chancellor; however, he failed to garner enough votes for a simple parliamentary majority in the first round of voting.

2025: Merz on irregular migration

In 2025, Friedrich Merz identified limiting irregular migration as the most important task following the German federal election.

2035: Interest payments on Germany's government debt.

In 2035, Germany is estimated to pay approximately €71 billion annually in interest as a result of the increase in government debt that would result from Merz's plan proposed in March 2025 to increase defence spending and create a special fund for investments.