World
Friedrich Merz Delivers Mid-Term Assessment at First Summer Press Conference in Berlin
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) held his first summer press conference on July 15, 2026, in Berlin. Declaring the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition "has found its rhythm," he acknowledged reforms progress more slowly than expected. Merz defended increased federal borrowing citing Russia's war against Ukraine, reaffirmed categorical refusal to cooperate with the AfD or Die Linke ahead of eastern regional elections, and admitted poor polling with no current electoral majority. Regarding constitutional debt brake reform, an expert commission will present proposals, but constitutional change requires unified coalition consensus and broader parliamentary support—both currently absent.