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Politico (2 October 2026)

Gabriel GAVIN and Frida PREUß

The German chancellor's foes at home are rejoicing at his political downturn. But those in Brussels aren't.

The EU can’t pretend Friedrich Merz isn’t in trouble any longer.

After a string of humiliating election losses where the far right has made historic gains and an internal fight with his own coalition over social care policy, EU partners are starting to plan for the prospect that the German chancellor could be ousted — or at least distracted — in the crucial coming months, according to five diplomats and officials who spoke to POLITICO. They were granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

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