Merz visits France and Poland in first overseas trip as chancellor

The day after his election, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz first flew to Paris. At a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, the last cooled-down Franco-German friendship and the common interests were summoned. Merz then flew directly to Warsaw to Premier Donald Tusk in order to maintain neighbourly relations with Poland as well. Commentators take stock.

Chancellor Merz, France's President Macron and Poland's Prime Minister Tusk summon a "restart" in Europe. The first round of elections for a new Pope did not bring a decision.

Friedrich Merz travelled to Warsaw on the first day as Chancellor. In Poland, he is credited with this. There, he is regarded as a hopeful bearer of a new intensification of the German-Polish relationship. However, a explosive topic is still highly topical.

Merz hails reset in ties with neighbors on first trip as German chancellor

Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled a new start in relations with European partners France and Poland, but there were signs of tough discussions ahead on thorny issues like illegal migration and defense financing. Wednesday's trip came a day after the conservative was sworn in on a promise to restore…

Criminal program for Friedrich Merz: Meeting with France's President Macron, then visit to Poland's Prime Minister Tusk. How did the Chancellor defeat himself? Observations by SPIEGEL editor Christoph Hickmann.

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz positions himself in office on his first trip. As a partner, he sees France, Poland and Great Britain in particular.