German politicians have sharply criticized the appearance of CDU’s candidate for Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, at the Davos conference.
According to the Left Party’s leader, Jan van Aken, speaking to the Spiegel, Merz’s performance showed that “Friedrich Merz still more resembles a financial lobbyist than a statesman.” He described Merz’s appearance as “instinctless and utterly misplaced.” BlackRock, Merz’s former employer, is “worldwide for pressure on social standards and wages” van Aken added.
The SPD’s faction leader, Rolf Mützenich, told the news magazine that BlackRock is known as a “dealmaker” and many employees have paid the price for the abolition of their jobs or the liquidation of their company. “Merz should be cautious not to transfer his sole experiences as a financial whiz to our foreign policy” the social democrat said.
Mützenich accused Merz of wanting to set “deals” in foreign and security policy. Apparently, Merz believes “this is the best way to appease Donald Trump” the SPD politician said.
He warned of fatal consequences, stating, “Because prices in international politics are being made the sole measure, it only fosters a bidding war between nations.” One of the fundamental lessons of the 20th century, Mützenich said, is that the stronger should not prevail, but rather, common interests and common security should guide foreign policy.