Friedrich Merz critique of Iran war triggers US troop drawdown and trade penalties
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 6
Friedrich Merz critique of Iran war triggers US troop drawdown and trade penalties
11 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 6
Donald Trump announced at least 5,000 US troops would leave Germany and imposed new penalties on European car imports after Merz's remarks.
The clash deepened pressure on Germany's year-old coalition as surging fuel prices, industrial weakness and doubts over Merz's leadership pushed his approval rating down to 19%.
Merz took office after losing an initial parliamentary vote when 18 rebels withheld support, and analysts say coalition tensions and poor communication have strengthened the far-right AfD.
With a failing economy and US tensions, can Germany’s coalition survive the far-right's surge?
Will reviving controversial gas fracking be the desperate measure to save Germany's collapsing industry?