Author: Fabian Reinbold

Fabian Reinbold is a political correspondent in Berlin and an expert on U.S. and German politics. He has been working for ZEIT ONLINE since January 2025.

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Geopolitics In The News

Why Merz May Never Recover From His First Bundestag Fail

Friedrich Merz (CDU), designated Federal Chancellor, photographed during the session of the Bundestag for the election of the new Federal Chancellor and the swearing-in of the Federal Ministers in Berlin, May 6, 2025. (Credit Image: © Florian Gaertner/dpa via ZUMA Press)

Friedrich Merz’s own coalition partners attempted to sabotage his path to the chancellorship. And although he was ultimately elected, just hours after a first-round debacle, he may never shake off the damage.

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Economy Geopolitics

To Stand Up To Putin (And Trump), Germany’s Next Leader Must Spend Much More On Defense

Photo of tank models on display
Europe's governments only know, and have known for a long time, that they need to take much greater care of their own security and defense. Imago/ZUMA

It is now clear that Germany needs to invest a lot more money in defense. Friedrich Merz, who is likely to be Germany’s next chancellor, has yet to come up with a plan to do this.

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