Merz Targets Von Der Leyen With German Power Flex
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting in Brussels in May.
Photographer: Simon Wohlfahrt/BloombergFriedrich Merz wants to see Germany driving the most important decisions in Europe again.
That’s what the country’s chancellor has been telling his fellow center-right leaders at recent gatherings, according to a diplomat present for the remarks. The implication, the diplomat added, is blunt: Merz is taking control.