Appearing on ARD’s Sunday talk show “Caren Miosga”, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) addressed a broad range of pressing issues — from national defence and welfare reform to digitalisation, pensions, and the state of the economy.
The conversation reflected a government seeking to regain momentum after months of political stagnation and global uncertainty.
Drone alarms and national security
The interview began with the recent drone disruptions at Munich Airport, which had paralysed air traffic for hours.
Merz said the exact origin of the objects remained unclear but suspected they were “most likely controlled from Russia to test Germany’s defences.”
He called them a “serious threat to national security” but saw no need for new regulation, only faster investment in modern counter-drone systems.
“We have not had a single armed-drone incident so far” Merz said, adding that such actions were mainly meant to unsettle the population.
Compulsory service back on the table
Turning to defence, Merz acknowledged that re-introducing conscription would be difficult given the lack of instructors and barracks.
Yet he hinted that Germany may not be able to rely on voluntary service alone: “I suspect it will not remain at voluntariness” he said, signalling support for a general civic-duty year that would require a constitutional amendment.
Digitalisation and bureaucracy
When pressed on Germany’s lagging digital transformation, Merz named three priorities:
- Overcoming federal fragmentation in digital governance,
- Cutting bureaucracy, and
- Ensuring tangible benefits for both businesses and households.
He argued that “immediate effects must be felt in everyday life, not just on paper.”
Economic and social reforms
Merz defended his coalition’s economic agenda, saying investment trends had “turned back toward Germany,” though progress was slower than hoped due to trade tensions with the US.
On social policy, he declared that the “Bürgergeld” welfare system would soon be history, calling it “a transfer system for those who truly need the welfare state — not a long-term wage replacement.”
Reforms will include revised asset exemptions and new rules for benefit refusal, alongside incentives to re-enter the labour market.
Pension reform and the cost of ageing
Asked about pension reform, Merz admitted the issue was “urgent but complex”.
Proposals are expected by autumn 2026, including a new “active pension” model allowing older people to stay longer in the workforce.
He warned that Germans must prepare for difficult trade-offs: “Our population will have to spend more of its disposable income on pensions, healthcare and long-term care” he said, suggesting that private pension obligations could become mandatory.
Politics, AfD, and democracy
Merz expressed deep concern over rising AfD poll numbers, especially in eastern Germany.
He said entire constituencies there were now “unrepresented” by elected MPs, and that rebuilding local party presence was vital: “Being present on the ground is the key to every election victory”.
Israel and the ESC controversy
In a rapid-fire segment, Merz called it a “scandal” that the exclusion of Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest was even being discussed.
“If Israel were banned, Germany should withdraw voluntarily” he said unequivocally.
Emotional moment and foreign policy
Miosga also revisited Merz’s tearful speech at Munich’s Reichenbach Synagogue, where the chancellor spoke about the suffering of children in conflict.
“I am the first chancellor since 1998 with children of my own” he said. “That shapes how I govern.”
On the Gaza peace process, Merz stressed that “Hamas is militarily defeated” and must release hostages to avoid further bloodshed.
Germany, he said, would be “at the forefront of humanitarian aid and reconstruction.”
When asked about his recent call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Germany’s restrictions on weapon exports to Gaza, Merz admitted: “It was a heated conversation — but the decision was justified.”
He reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering solidarity with Israel, while noting that “the Israeli military has gone too far.”
