Merkel Laments ‘Sad Day’ After German Covid Deaths Pass 100,000

Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel lamented a “very sad day” and called for more pandemic restrictions after Germany breached the threshold of 100,000 Covid-19 deaths on Thursday.

Merkel, who is due to be replaced by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz early next month, said Germany is in a serious situation as it remains “in an exponential growth pattern.” She has consistently called for tighter curbs to try to check the spread of the disease, but with her 16-year term almost over her ability to influence pandemic policy is limited.