Key facts
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz posted on X praising the German national team after their World Cup exit.
- Merz's initial post stated the team had "thrilled our country" with their commitment and team spirit.
- The chancellor's assessment was met with significant criticism.
- Comedian Oliver Pocher described the performance as "catastrophic" and "fundamentally wrong."
- Germany's captain Joshua Kimmich expressed disappointment and took responsibility for the team's failure.
- Merz later posted a second message emphasizing unity in both victory and defeat.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has drawn criticism for his reaction to Germany's World Cup exit, with his social media post on the platform X being described as confusing and out of touch with public sentiment. Merz initially wrote, "Even though going out hurts: what a game. With your commitment and team spirit at this World Cup you have thrilled our country. We are proud of you."
However, the chancellor's assessment was met with significant backlash in the comments section. Comedian Oliver Pocher criticized Merz's post, stating, "I hope the account has been hacked. But it fits the situation in this country." Pocher argued there was "nothing to sugar-coat" about the defeat, calling the performance "catastrophic" and suggesting that if the chancellor makes such a "fundamentally wrong analysis," it raises concerns about his judgment on other matters.