Appearance in front of party juniors: Merz attacks Schwesig: “Belittlement” is not acceptable

Bonn. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has clearly rejected SPD politician Manuela Schwesig's sharp criticism of the Union's handling of the resigned Labor Minister Bärbel Bas. "Differences of opinion on the matter, yes. Discussions, yes, if absolutely necessary. But we do not accept this degradation," he said at the Junge Union's Germany Day in response to Schwesig's accusation that the Union had behaved "inhumanely" towards Bas.

Merz emphasized that the coalition partner would not put up with everything. "I will do everything to lead the country to success. But doing everything does not mean accepting everything," he said. This also includes confronting the coalition partner “if he describes our politics and our coexistence as inhumane without any apparent reason.”

Bas resigned after the death of her stepdaughter and complained about personal attacks, including from within the ranks of her coalition partner. In addition to Schwesig, SPD leader Lars Klingbeil also commented. He described the Union’s behavior as “indecent”.