{"id":76045,"date":"2024-04-30T11:17:06","date_gmt":"2024-04-30T09:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/?post_type=magazin&p=76045"},"modified":"2026-10-31T18:22:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T16:22:08","slug":"friedrich-merz-between-blackrock-and-the-chancellery","status":"publish","type":"magazin","link":"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/power-and-control\/friedrich-merz-between-blackrock-and-the-chancellery\/","title":{"rendered":"Friedrich Merz: between BlackRock and the Chancellery"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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\n\tPower and control<\/a><\/div>\r\n

\r\n Friedrich Merz: between BlackRock and the Chancellery <\/h2>\r\n\r\n
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The CDU leader presents himself as a man of the people \u2013 despite a multimillion past in the world of finance. Why do so many listen to him?
\nBy Finn Winkler<\/a> (text), Martin Steger<\/a> (photos)<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

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It is a sunny morning in early September, <\/strong>shortly before the 2023 Bavarian state election. Friedrich Merz steps onto the stage in the packed beer tent in Abensberg. The air is hot and a little stuffy, the mood exuberant. Merz wears a simple grey traditional jacket, perhaps to win over the residents of the small Lower Bavarian town. Numerous top politicians gather at the \u2018political Gillamoos\u2019.

Friedrich Merz uses the opportunity to take a clear stance. \u2018Kreuzberg is not Germany,\u2019 he proclaims into the microphone. \u2018Gillamoos is Germany!\u2019 These words spark debate across the country. His speech makes the evening news, and his face adorns the front pages the next day.

The speech on the Gillamoos meadow shows how Merz tries to emphasise certain cultural and social themes. While he takes up popular opinions, he also draws criticism for his often polarising positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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