Here are the main stories Germans were discussing on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Merkel urges moderation and tolerance
Former chancellor Angela Merkel told the news magazine Focus that Germans should judge the new Union–SPD coalition with “moderation and balance.” She said she wished the government success but declined to comment in detail on its policies. Merkel appealed for greater tolerance of internal debates — arguing that disagreement is part of finding solutions — and advised Chancellor Friedrich Merz to show “a generous spirit” toward his center-left partners.
Merz criticizes EU subsidies, calls for more investment
Speaking in Aachen during the Charlemagne Prize ceremony for Mario Draghi, Chancellor Merz attacked the EU budget’s structure as outdated. “We cannot meet the challenges of the 21st century with a 20th-century budget,” he said, arguing that too much EU spending goes to redistribution and subsidies. Merz urged budget cuts in some areas and stronger investment, especially in defense, but rejected Draghi’s proposal to fund projects through joint EU borrowing, warning that excessive indebtedness would threaten sovereignty and limit action.
Wüst warns against underestimating AfD risks
North Rhine-Westphalia premier Hendrik Wüst cautioned against normalizing or underestimating the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Speaking at a Catholic event, he said suggestions that letting extremists govern would merely “discredit themselves” are dangerous, invoking historical comparisons and warning that democratic freedoms can be lost quickly. Wüst also highlighted the role of churches in fostering social cohesion and values.
Father’s Day celebrations and road safety concerns
Ascension Thursday — celebrated in Germany as Father’s Day — again brought large outdoor gatherings and heavy drinking. Road-safety experts warned that alcohol-related accident risks spike sharply on this holiday, with recent figures showing around three times the normal number of such crashes. The German Road Safety Council cited 284 alcohol-related accidents nationwide on the holiday last year and urged people not to drive or cycle after drinking. Police reported multiple stops and incidents overnight, including an alcohol-related crash in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Merkel on dealing with Trump
In reflections on international diplomacy, Merkel recommended a pragmatic, “without fear” approach to dealing with former US President Donald Trump: look for common ground but do not try excessively to please or provoke. She warned that holders of high office wield enormous power and must be taken very seriously.
What to take away
Merkel’s comments are a call for public patience and for political leaders to allow space for debate as the new coalition navigates early challenges. At the same time, Merz is pressing for an EU budget refocus toward investment and defense, while domestic concerns — from rising support for the AfD to seasonal spikes in alcohol-related crashes — add pressure on policymakers.
Stay tuned for developments as the coalition seeks to stabilize its standing and respond to these domestic and European debates.