{
  "id": 11883561,
  "title": "Germany news: Many believe Merkel more capable than Merz",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germany-news-many-believe-merkel-more-capable-than-merz",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T08:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-many-believe-merkel-more-capable-than-merz/live-79528092?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "48% of Germans believe former Chancellor Angela Merkel possesses more capabilities to address Germany's challenges compared to current Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to a recent survey commissioned by German news agency DPA. Meanwhile, Merz is currently in Kyiv visiting Ukraine amid its fifth winter of Russia's invasion. Today marks the final Oktoberfest event in Munich, and Germany's leaders gathered in Bremen for Unity Day celebrations, which were addressed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier who warned about threats from right-wing extremism to German democracy.",
  "summary": "Nearly half of Germans view former Chancellor Angela Merkel as better suited to handle Germany's challenges than current Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Also, today is the last day of Oktoberfest in Munich. DW has the latest.",
  "key_points": [
    "Merz is in Kyiv visiting Ukraine during Russia's fifth winter of invasion.",
    "President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warns about right-wing extremism threats to German democracy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/11883561.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Germany's Merz arrives in Kyiv to pledge more support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-arrives-in-kyiv-to-pledge-more-support",
        "published": "2026-10-04T05:07:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Politico EU",
        "title": "Germany’s Merz visits Kyiv amid fears of ‘hardest’ winter in war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-visits-kyiv-amid-fears-of-hardest-winter-in-war",
        "published": "2026-10-04T05:22:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Germany's Merz arrives in Kyiv to finalize drone deal, release aid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-arrives-in-kyiv-to-finalize-drone-deal-release-aid",
        "published": "2026-10-04T05:24:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Germany’s Merz arrives in Kyiv with €1.35bn aid package, drone deal in focus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-arrives-in-kyiv-with-1-35bn-aid-package-drone-deal-in",
        "published": "2026-10-04T06:11:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Merz makes surprise Kyiv visit, pledges drone interceptors amid Russian threats",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/merz-makes-surprise-kyiv-visit-pledges-drone-interceptors-amid",
        "published": "2026-10-04T07:18:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Germany's Merz visits Kyiv to pledge more support to Zelensky",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-visits-kyiv-to-pledge-more-support-to-zelensky",
        "published": "2026-10-04T07:28:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Germany",
        "title": "Germany's Merz in Kyiv for talks with Zelensky",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-in-kyiv-for-talks-with-zelensky",
        "published": "2026-10-04T08:12:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Germany's Merz arrives in Kyiv to finalize drone deal, release aid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-arrives-in-kyiv-to-finalize-drone-deal-release-aid-11886541",
        "published": "2026-10-04T08:40:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Russia strikes hit Kyiv as Germany's Merz visits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/russia-strikes-hit-kyiv-as-germanys-merz-visits",
        "published": "2026-10-04T08:45:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Moscow Times",
        "title": "Germany's Merz Arrives in Kyiv to the Sound of Sirens and Explosions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/germanys-merz-arrives-in-kyiv-to-the-sound-of-sirens-and-explosions",
        "published": "2026-10-04T09:24:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}