Childhood and Education Journey of Friedrich Merz in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Friedrich Merz. From birth to education, explore key events.

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

1924: Father's Birth Year

In 1924, Joachim Merz, Friedrich Merz's father, was born.

1928: Mother's Birth Year

In 1928, Paula Sauvigny, Friedrich Merz's mother, was born.

November 1955: Joachim-Friedrich Merz Born

In November 1955, Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz was born.

November 1955: Born in Brilon

On 11 November 1955, Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz was born in Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia.

1966: Studied at Gymnasium Petrinum Brilon

From 1966, Merz studied at the Gymnasium Petrinum Brilon.

1971: Left Gymnasium Petrinum Brilon

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

1972: Joined Young Union

In 1972, Merz became a member of the CDU's youth wing, the Young Union.

July 1975: Started Military Service

In July 1975, Merz began his military service.

September 1976: Finished Military Service

In September 1976, Merz finished his military service.

1979: Formed Andean Pact

In 1979, The Andean pact was formed.

1985: Finished Law School

In 1985, Merz finished law school and subsequently worked as a judge and corporate lawyer.

2005: Establishment of Friedrich und Charlotte Merz Stiftung

In 2005, Friedrich Merz and his wife established the Friedrich und Charlotte Merz Stiftung, a foundation supporting projects in the education sector.

2005: New Member of the Andean Pact

In 2005, Merz was described as a new member of the Andean Pact.

2009: Left the Bundestag

In 2009, Friedrich Merz left the Bundestag.

2015: Criticism of Merkel's open border policy

In 2015, during the European migrant crisis, Angela Merkel implemented an open border policy, which Merz later deemed to be a fatal decision.

November 2018: Statement on Same-Sex Marriage

In November 2018, Friedrich Merz said that introducing same-sex marriage in Germany was the right thing to do.

2018: Merz describes himself as a convinced European and transatlanticist

In 2018, Friedrich Merz described himself as "a truly convinced European, a convinced transatlanticist, and a German open to the world", advocating for a cosmopolitan Germany rooted in Christian ethics and the European Enlightenment, with strong alliances with Western democracies.

September 2020: Response to Question About Gay Chancellor

In September 2020, Friedrich Merz stated that sexual orientation is not an issue for public discussion as long as it is within the scope of the law and does not concern children, later clarifying he did not mean to link homosexuality with pedophilia.

2021: Family Home Announced for Sale

In 2021, the Sauvigny House, Merz's mother's family home, was announced for sale.

2022: Merz adopts strong pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian positions

Following the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Merz adopted strong pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian positions, urging Chancellor Olaf Scholz to supply Ukraine with weapons and traveling to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

April 2023: Merz claims climate change is overrated in political debate

In April 2023, Merz declared that everyone in the CDU takes the issue of climate change very seriously, but claimed that the issue of climate change is overrated in the political debate and that the German population does not see the problem as significant as politicians do. He also denied that time is running out for successful climate change measures.

October 2023: Merz on Palestinian refugees

In October 2023, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel, Merz stated that Germany could not accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza, citing the presence of "enough antisemitic young men in the country".

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".

2023: Merz opposes EU phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles

In 2023, Merz opposed the proposed EU phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles by 2035, stating that the fight for net-zero emissions "must be achieved with technology and open-mindedness, not bans".

2023: Merz on Germany's obligation to help Israel

In 2023, Merz said that the US had a different relationship to Israel than Germany, and that Germany has an obligation to help the country "without ifs and buts".

October 2024: Merz urges resumption of weapons deliveries to Israel

In October 2024, Merz successfully urged the German government to resume weapons deliveries to Israel, including spare parts for tanks. He also proposed stripping dual nationals of their German citizenship for protesting against Israel.

November 2024: Collapse of Governing Coalition

In November 2024, the incumbent governing coalition collapsed, leading to an earlier election.

December 2024: Merz calls for deportations of Syrian immigrants

In December 2024, Merz called for the deportation of illegal Syrian immigrants to Syria and a freeze on new refugee admissions. As chancellor, he aimed to "regularly deport" people to Afghanistan and Syria.

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.

December 2024: Merz calls for stronger ties with Turkey

In December 2024, after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Merz called on Europe to strengthen its ties with Turkey "to bring political pacification to this region".

2024: Merz calls for rejection of asylum seekers at the border

In 2024, Merz advocated for the comprehensive rejection of asylum seekers directly at the border, believing it would deter irregular migration. He also referenced Michael Kretschmer's statement about Germany's integration capacity, suggesting a limit of 60,000–100,000 refugees per year.

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".

2024: Merz intends to abolish fast naturalization

In 2024, Merz intended to abolish the fast naturalization process implemented by the traffic light coalition, which allowed applicants to obtain German citizenship after three to five years, due to concerns that around 80 percent of applicants for naturalization wanted to keep their first citizenship.

January 2025: Merz on European unity regarding the US

In January 2025, Friedrich Merz stated that Europeans must be united and those who travel to Washington must represent the interests of the whole European Union.

January 2025: Merz calls EU asylum rules dysfunctional

In January 2025, following the Aschaffenburg stabbing attack, Friedrich Merz criticized the EU asylum rules, calling them "visibly dysfunctional", and asserted Germany's right to prioritize national law. He announced plans to implement fundamental changes to the right of entry, asylum, and residence in Germany.

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.

February 2025: Merz announces will to invite Netanyahu to Germany

In February 2025, one day after the 2025 German federal election, Merz announced his will to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Germany, "as an open challenge" to the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for him.

2025: Merz on irregular migration

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

2025: Advocacy for denaturalization in cases of crime

Weeks before the 2025 election, Merz advocated for denaturalization in cases where individuals with multiple citizenship commit crimes after obtaining German citizenship, which would require an amendment to the basic law.

2035: Opposition to EU phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles

In 2035, Merz opposed the proposed EU phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles, stating that the fight for net-zero emissions "must be achieved with technology and open-mindedness, not bans".