{
  "id": 3367934,
  "title": "Federal Government: Union parliamentary group leader Frei: Withdrawal never an issue for Merz",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/bundesregierung-unionsfraktionschef-frei-ruckzug-nie-ein-thema-fur",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T22:37:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/bundesregierung-unionsfraktionschef-frei-rueckzug-nie-ein-thema-fuer-merz/100249671.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "CDU politician and parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has never considered resigning despite criticism. Frei, who served as Chancellor's office chief until July, cited enormous domestic and foreign policy challenges and noted that the government's approval ratings are \"terrible\". However, he pointed out that the CDU remains the most successful Christian democratic party in Europe. Frei emphasized the importance of the coalition's ability to implement planned reforms in the autumn, including a pension reform he described as a \"project for the century\".",
  "summary": "The poll ratings are at rock bottom, and criticism of the Chancellor is great. Has Friedrich Merz ever thought about stepping down? Someone close to him answers this question.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}