Friederich Merz, the conservative leader of Germany, emerged victorious in Sunday’s legislative elections. Now, he’s tasked with forming a government. To achieve this, Merz has announced that he will enter into negotiations with the Social Democrats, who secured third place in the elections.
“I am determined to hold quick and constructive conversations with the social democrats to form a coalition government… before Easter”, Merz stated from the headquarters of his CDU party in Berlin. He noted that the significant results obtained by the ultra-right, exceeding 20%, served as a “last notice” for the main parties. This outcome underscores the need for the major parties to reevaluate their strategies and priorities.
In a separate development, Merz addressed the situation surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Merz stated that Netanyahu “can visit” Germany, despite this warrant. “In the event that he wants to visit Germany, I have promised that we will find a way to ensure that he can visit Germany and leave without being arrested,” Merz explained during a press conference in Berlin. He finds it “absurd” that an Israeli prime minister cannot visit Germany, although he did not delve into the details of a potential trip by Netanyahu.
Merz and Netanyahu had a telephone conversation on Sunday night, described as “hot” by the Israeli prime minister’s office. According to Netanyahu’s office, Merz invited him to an official visit to Germany. Merz confirmed this, saying, “I told him that we should see each other soon, after government formation.” Netanyahu faces an arrest order from the ICC for crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Gaza Strip, issued at the end of November 2024. Israel has appealed this order, denouncing it as an “anti-Semitic” and “absurd” decision. The ICC is responsible for processing and judging individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
The negotiations between Merz and the Social Democrats will be closely watched, as they aim to form a stable government. The outcome of these talks will significantly impact Germany’s political landscape and its approach to international relations, including its stance on sensitive issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Merz navigates these complex diplomatic and political challenges, his decisions will be under scrutiny, both domestically and internationally.
