I want to reform our country because a strong Germany is a precondition for a strong Europe | Lars Klingbeil

In Germany, around 17 April 2026, Lars Klingbeil wrote in The Guardian that he wants to reform the country because a strong Germany is a precondition for a strong Europe. Die Zeit wrote that Merz and Klingbeil would need to shut themselves away for a week over reforms, and Der Spiegel wrote that Klingbeil has a control problem with the special fund for investments. Bloomberg wrote that Merz's choice of a lobbyist for the coalition is now costing him, and Der Spiegel's daily roundup noted that the AfD overtook the CDU.

On the Iran war, Merz said Germany is ready to make a German contribution and signalled a contribution to a mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Macron, Meloni, Starmer and Merz welcomed the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran opened the strait. Corriere della Sera wrote that Macron and Merz are divided on Trump.