German Chancellor Merz heckled at forest fire site as poll shows majority expect early exit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced boos and whistles on Saturday as he visited the Hürtgenwald forest fire site in North Rhine-Westphalia, his first public appearance after a three-week summer break. The fire, which broke out on Aug. 14, was fully extinguished on Thursday, with authorities calling it the largest in the state’s history, damaging 300 to 400 hectares of forest .
Protesters held signs reading “No chancellor needed for real help” and “The forest burns and Merz sleeps,” criticizing his timing. Merz defended his absence, stating he had coordinated with local officials and waited to avoid disrupting firefighting efforts. Düren district administrator Ralf Nolten (CDU) confirmed Merz had offered federal support on Aug. 15 and asked whether a visit would help; Nolten advised against it due to the volatile situation .
The blaze forced the evacuation of 1,800 residents in Gey for two days, with flames approaching within 250 meters of homes. Some 1,400 personnel, including volunteers from fire brigades, the Technical Relief Agency, and the Bundeswehr, battled the fire. Two tanks created firebreaks, and helicopters dropped water from large containers .
Merz thanked emergency responders but dismissed hecklers. “I am not impressed by those who stand there shouting,” he said. “I talk to the people who are working, who are helping” . He called the fire a consequence of climate change but did not outline specific policy responses.
A new poll published Sunday shows 54% of Germans expect Merz to leave office before the next election, with 18% anticipating his departure this year. Critics, including opposition politicians, had accused him of inaction during the crisis .
Merz is set to convene a cabinet retreat on Tuesday and Wednesday at Schloss Neuhardenberg in Brandenburg, where he will push for rapid implementation of reforms on pensions, taxes, deregulation, and digitalization. “We passed historic decisions before the summer break. Now they must be implemented as quickly as possible,” he told *Bild am Sonntag* . He emphasized economic growth and employment as priorities, adding, “The federal government will not be deflected from its course” .
Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) said he opposes planned cuts to pension benefits for caregivers, stating, “I do not want to save at the expense of those who hold our society together” .
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