Schulbesuch nach Ukraine-Reise: Von Kiew ins Sauerland: Merz besucht sein altes Gymnasium

Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz recently visited his old gymnasium in Rüthen, Germany, to reconnect with his past and pay tribute to the suffering of Ukrainian children. During the visit, he addressed a crowd of hundreds of students, reminding them of their privilege to live in a democratic nation with freedom and peace. Merz appealed to the students to value the opportunity they have to live in such a country and emphasized the importance of their education as a foundation for their future.

Merz's trip began with a short visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, lasting 14 hours. After arriving back in Germany, he took a special train to Poland, then a military flight to Berlin, and finally a smaller aircraft to his destination in the Sauerland region. Upon arriving at the school, Merz received enthusiastic applause from the students and took the time to greet each one individually, engaging in brief conversations.

The chancellor started his career relatively late in the Bundeskanzler position and expressed his motivation for being involved in politics: "I do it because I want to do something for you." He urged the students to aim for a better graduation than he achieved, stating that it was his main responsibility to ensure that the younger generation has a chance to live in a prosperous, peaceful, and free country.

Merz attended the Friedrich-Spee Gymnasium in 1975 and transferred to Rüthen four years earlier due to disciplinary and academic issues. He concluded his speech by encouraging the students to enjoy their time, make a difference in their lives, study diligently, and aim for a better graduation than his own.