Merz Plans Trump Call While Doubling Down on MAGA Criticism

Article content(Bloomberg) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has once again distanced himself from Donald Trump’s political base, while indicating he plans to continue engaging with the US president. Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle content“The MAGA movement is not our movement,” he said at an election event in Bad Dürkheim in Rhineland-Palatinate last night. “And the way they treat culture and the media, the way they interact with one another, is not our idea of democracy. We have a different vision.”Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentMerz added that he intends to call Trump over the weekend to discuss the war in the Middle East, the unfolding energy crisis and an invitation for a state visit of the US president to Germany in September.Article contentArticle contentThe chancellor had repeatedly drawn a line between his government and Trump-style politics, saying at the Munich Security Conference in February that the “culture wars of the MAGA movement are not our own.” Ties between the NATO allies have come under strain over disagreements on issues ranging from trade to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has driven a surge in oil and gas prices. Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentMerz faces another test on Sunday when the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate goes to the polls, the second of five regional ballots this year. Polls show a tightening race in Rhineland-Palatine, with the Christian Democratic Union’s once-solid lead over the SPD shrinking as the ballot draws nearer. Merz’s conservatives had 29% support, two percentage points ahead of the SPD, according to a March 19 poll for ZDF. Article contentA similar dynamic played out two weeks ago in Baden-Wuerttemberg, where Merz’s party saw a double-digit lead over the Greens evaporate in the weeks before the contest. The environmental party won by less than a percentage point, extending its 15-year stewardship of the state, home to Mercedes-Benz AG and Porsche AG. Article contentArticle contentMerz said he plans to invite Trump, whose grandfather emigrated from Germany to the US in 1885, to Bad Dürkheim in September. Still, it’s unclear whether Trump will accept the invitation. Article content“He’s not exactly on good terms with me at the moment,” Merz said, adding that the transatlantic partnership is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation. Article content“It may be that we no longer have the Americans on our side without any reservations,” the chancellor said. But he added that he didn’t want to abandon the transatlantic bond that had grown over many decades. “I will fight to ensure that it is preserved.”Article content—With assistance from Arne Delfs.Article contentTrending Garry Marr: Why it could be the right time to walk away from your real estate Personal Finance TC Energy could be open to return to B.C. LNG pipeline project as global gas crunch threatens Oil & Gas Global oil shock ripples through Canada's economy: FP Video News Dennis, 79, is worried about a market crash. Should he move his portfolio to 100% income? Investor Canadian housing bears now have nine reasons backing them up Mortgages Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Garry Marr: Why it could be the right time to walk away from your real estate Personal Finance TC Energy could be open to return to B.C. LNG pipeline project as global gas crunch threatens Oil & Gas Global oil shock ripples through Canada's economy: FP Video News Dennis, 79, is worried about a market crash. Should he move his portfolio to 100% income? Investor Canadian housing bears now have nine reasons backing them up Mortgages