Key facts
- Merz warned of daily Russian efforts to destabilize Germany.
- He rejected calls for cooperation with the far-right AfD.
- Merz urged SPD and Greens not to ally with the Left Party in Berlin.
- He stated reforms to pension, tax, and welfare systems are essential.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for unity within his coalition on Saturday, warning of growing threats from political extremists and daily Russian destabilization efforts. Speaking at a conference of the Christian Social Union (CSU), Merz stated Germany faced "extraordinarily serious challenges" to its freedom and security in Europe. He rejected calls from some conservatives to cooperate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), stating any politician who voted with the party "has no place in our Union." Merz also urged the Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens not to form a coalition in Berlin with the Left Party, which he accused of tolerating antisemitism. He added that rapid reforms to Germany's pension, tax, and welfare systems were essential to revive the economy and restore confidence in public institutions.