Fact check: Germany's Merz misstates record in ARD interview

Chancellor Friedrich Merz appeared on ARD's summer interview amid declining popularity. While discussing economic, migration and energy policies, Merz made several misleading claims. DW Fact Check, working with ARD colleagues, scrutinized Merz's interview live.

One claim involved migration numbers. Merz stated his government reduced migration by over 60% in a year. This statement is misleading because it's unclear whether Merz refers to the time period since his government took office in May 2025 or the entirety of that year. According to BAMF, first-time asylum applications in Germany fell by 35.4% from the first half of 2025 to the same period in 2026, which is less than the 60% figure Merz cited.

Another claim centered on Germany's debt levels. Merz proclaimed the nation as one of the least indebted in Europe and boasts the best credit rating. While Germany does hold an AAA credit rating, it's not unique. Eleven European countries share this top rating. Additionally, Germany's debt-to-GDP ratio, a common measure, places it in the middle of the eurozone, not at the bottom. The eurozone requires countries to keep this ratio below 60%. Germany and 11 others exceed this threshold.

Lastly, Merz mentioned electric cars' environmental impact. He claimed they are not as eco-friendly as often portrayed, citing a study from the Technical University of Munich. However, the ICCT, a US-based think tank, found that electric vehicles reduce CO2 emissions by 73% compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. The discrepancy arises due to varying electricity mixes used in battery production, which are typically offset after 1-2 years of use.