Rumours claimed rivals of Chancellor Friedrich Merz were manoeuvring within the centre-right CDU to replace him after one year in office. German media reported that Hendrik Wuest, premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, was circulating as a possible alternative. Most commentators doubted Merz would be removed soon, but the episode was framed as evidence of increased instability in German politics. The turmoil followed the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s coalition less than two years earlier and the resulting early elections. At a Berlin press conference, Merz’s spokesman Stefan Kornelius refused to comment, saying the mood in the chancellery was “very good and constructive” and urging people to avoid side debates. Government sources called the rumours “wild speculation,” using “wueste Spekulation” as a wordplay dig at Wuest, and warned that it endangered stability. Merz’s 70-year-old government faced criticism as an economy spending push moved slowly and healthcare and pension reforms stalled amid CDU infighting, while the far right gained strength.
"“You were right to call this a rumour, to speak of speculation -- and that's why I won't comment on it,” a tense-looking Stefan Kornelius responded to a journalist's question. “The mood in the chancellery is very good and constructive,” he insisted, adding the government was focused on its reform plans and that people should “avoid side debates”."
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