Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Mertz said yesterday evening at a Christian Democratic Party event in his hometown of Ahrensburg in the Sauerland region: "Germany has the power of a new beginning and I am personally determined to make this new beginning possible with my government."
In his speech, the Christian Democratic Party leader did not mention speculation about a possible change of chancellor and dodged the issue. The media had recently reported discussions within the government coalition about whether Mertz could be replaced by another politician. This was dismissed by sources close to the chancellor as a naive idea.