German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held his annual summer press conference, claiming his coalition government has 'found its footing' and delivered 'positive outcomes'. However, polls show only 13-20% of Germans are satisfied with the government's performance.

Merz detailed reforms in pensions, healthcare, and taxes, admitting pension changes should have been made '30 years ago', citing Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands as models.

Journalists pressed Merz on the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which leads polls in two eastern states ahead of September elections. Merz initially evaded, then urged voters: 'Don't rely on social media information.'

Responding to a Dutch journalist, Merz argued that far-right extremists taking power in Germany would be 'something else entirely' given the country's Nazi past.

On US State Department plans to fund groups linked to the AfD, Merz stated: 'We do not interfere in US elections, and I do not want US institutions interfering in ours. Financing political parties from abroad is illegal.'

Regarding the economy, Merz admitted: 'We've achieved a lot, but it's far from enough.' He claimed US tariff policy has 'harmed' the German economy, without naming Trump.

On Ukraine's EU membership, Merz advocated 'small but sincere steps', warning: 'If we lose credibility, we lose these countries.'

In a rare moment of self-criticism, Merz called his reversal on new debt a 'significant burden on my personal credibility'.

Source: www.dw.com