Friedrich Merz
ON THE RECORD · 31 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“high north, low attention”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-20
At a meeting of leaders from 12 countries, Merz said the era of low attention to the high north was over.
“Russia will only negotiate seriously under pressure, which is why we are sticking to our sanctions against Russia,”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-13
Merz said in Berlin that Russia will only negotiate seriously under pressure as the EU approved its largest sanctions package since the 2022 invasion.
“Ukraine will need all our support in the coming weeks”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-04 · reported 2026-10-04
Merz said upon arrival that Ukraine will need all of Germany's support as winter approaches and Russian attacks intensify.
“German and Ukrainian companies are jointly developing technologies that benefit both countries. That makes us safer and stronger,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-04 · reported 2026-10-04
Merz emphasized that the German-Ukrainian partnership on technology development would benefit both countries' security.
“A fifth winter of war is about to begin,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-04 · reported 2026-10-04
Merz warned that a fifth winter of war is about to begin as Russia bombards cities and infrastructure.
“If Russia is not stopped, it will turn its war machine against us sooner or later,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-04 · reported 2026-10-04
Merz made the remark upon arriving in Kyiv by train on Sunday morning.
“And if Europe wavers, Ukraine wavers.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-01 · reported 2026-10-04
Merz continued his Thursday speech by warning that if Europe wavers, Ukraine wavers.
“We are ready for talks, we are ready to discuss bringing this war to an end, but these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. I can only repeat once again: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-04 · reported 2026-10-04
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the damaged Academy of Sciences building, Merz called on Putin to end the war.
“If we in Germany waver, Europe wavers,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-01 · reported 2026-10-04
Merz made the remark on Thursday after awarding the Westphalian Peace Prize to NATO and its secretary general Mark Rutte.
“Russia is bombarding cities, apartments and power stations. I will tell President Zelenskyy today: 'You can count on our help.'”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-10-04 · reported 2026-10-04
Merz pledged continued German help to President Zelenskyy as Russia bombards Ukrainian cities and power stations.
“Germany has an Olympic candidate. Munich will enter the race on our behalf, and I warmly congratulate the state capital and the Free State of Bavaria on this,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-26 · reported 2026-09-26
Merz issued a statement moments after the DOSB announced Munich as Germany's Olympic candidate.
“Now, together with our Olympic candidate, we eagerly look forward to this major event … Germany is ready for the Olympics.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-26 · reported 2026-09-26
Merz expressed readiness for the Olympics in a statement issued after Munich's selection as Germany's bid city.
“That applies to us too, and it applies to me as well. Together, we are determined to rise to the historic challenges facing our country,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-21 · reported 2026-09-21
Merz spoke at a press conference on Monday following state election losses, expressing gratitude to the Social Democrats and vowing to press on with his agenda.
“Backbone, steadfastness and patience”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-20 · reported 2026-09-21
Merz made a televised address on Sunday evening after poor regional election results, pledging to press ahead with tax, welfare and economic reforms.
“Let me put it this way: High north – and low attention – is over,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-14 · reported 2026-09-14
Merz argued that years of relative neglect of the Arctic should end, citing the region's importance to European security.
“This region has become a geopolitical hotspot,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-14 · reported 2026-09-14
Merz made the remark at a news conference following a summit of European leaders on the Arctic.
“nothing other than a synonym for ethnic cleansing in the skilled trades based on skin colour and origin”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09
Merz told Weidel the AfD's migration policy would amount to a synonym for ethnic cleansing in the skilled trades.
“You are and will remain a destructive force,”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09
Merz accused the AfD of cheating voters and declared the party a destructive force.
“budge one millimeter from my fundamental conviction that we must defend our freedom against Russia now.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz vowed to maintain Germany's support for defending freedom against Russia.
“our institutions are resilient and stable”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz sought to reassure Germany's allies after the AfD's election victory.
“We know that Germany carries special responsibility because of its history,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz emphasized Germany's special historical responsibility after the AfD win.
“giving up is not an option for me.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz indicated he is determined to stay at the helm despite the election defeat.
“we need fundamental reforms in Germany.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz insisted on the necessity of fundamental reforms despite political setbacks.
“the most serious election defeat that the CDU has had for years, for decades.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz reacted to his party's poor result in the Saxony-Anhalt state election.
“justify them, not just rationally but also emotionally.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz acknowledged a need to justify reforms emotionally as well as rationally.
“nothing less than the future of our country and the opportunities of our children and grandchildren, and we must not squander those. That is why my determination to continue the reform course is unbroken.”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-09-08 · reported 2026-09-08
Merz framed the reforms as essential for the country's future and coming generations.
“seismic... not just in the country but also in my own political party and I take that very seriously”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-07
Merz described the AfD's election victory as a seismic result for the country and for his own conservative CDU party.
“This election result is a seismic result not just in the country but also in my own political party and I take that very seriously,”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-07
Merz described the AfD's election result as seismic for both the country and his own CDU party.
“reach people at an emotional level.”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-07
Merz said the CDU needed to reach people at an emotional level after its vote share nearly halved in the state election.
“We must address the issues at hand. We must also address our choice of words,”
Friedrich Merz · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-06
At a campaign rally in Lower Saxony a week before the election, Merz urged other politicians to engage with the AfD more effectively.
“We must do everything to protect people in Germany as best possible from such criminals, from dangerous people who for whatever reason can't be taken into custody,”
Friedrich Merz · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
Chancellor Merz told reporters he wanted to know how the Berlin Pride attack could have been prevented.