Friedrich Merz's biographer highlights emotional side and CDU crisis

Journalist and biographer Mariam Lau has provided insight into the emotional character of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, noting that he displays strong emotions more frequently than other chancellors. In an interview with Swiss radio SRF, Lau stated, “I have not seen any other chancellor cry so often,” highlighting his emotional responses regarding children, the fate of Ukrainians during the war with Russia, and the reopening of a synagogue in Munich.

Lau noted that Merz showed vulnerability when visiting a Jewish high school in Berlin, where students expressed fear regarding the Star of David. She also cited his apology to members of the CDU Lesbian and Gay Union for past offensive remarks.

Despite these displays of empathy, Lau observed that many voters perceive Merz as arrogant or condescending, noting a lack of relatability. Furthermore, she described the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) as facing an existential crisis, stating that the party is in a worse state than she has seen in 25 years of coverage.