‘I have no intention of becoming the nation’s darling’ — Merz at 10%

Germany is considering a new household levy to fund emergency gas reserves as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s approval sinks to 10%. His response? He has ‘no intention of becoming the nation’s darling’.

Rachel Marsden examines Germany’s energy squeeze, Merz’s defence of his leadership and Europe’s push for more investment in Ukraine. From household bills to promises made regardless of German voters’ wishes, she questions the widening gap between political priorities and public concerns.