Berlin Dismisses US Criticism of Europe – DW – 12/08/2025
On December 8, 2025, a report revealed that Chancellor Friedrich Merz filed numerous insult complaints during his tenure as the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag. These actions have prompted police to conduct searches at the homes of individuals deemed to have made offensive remarks.
Details of the Complaints
According to the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Merz lodged hundreds of complaints including terms like “ahole,” “filthy drunk,” and “little Nazi.” The instances of the latter two terms led to police searches, although a court later deemed one of those searches unlawful.
Legal Context for Insult Cases
- Insulting an individual can be categorized as a criminal offense in Germany.
- Complaints must be filed by the alleged victim for authorities to pursue an investigation.
Chancellor Merz’s Actions
Merz’s office has largely confirmed the details surrounding the insults. He chose to donate any fines or compensation payments to charitable organizations in his constituency in the Hochsauerland district.
Public and Political Reactions
This issue echoes a previous incident involving a complaint made by former Economy Minister Robert Habeck from the Green Party. In that case, a house search followed an insult characterized by the term “idiot.” Although the author faced penalties, the fines were for a separate post referencing Nazi themes.
The situation has spurred debates about the proportionality of state actions in response to insults made on social media. Critics, particularly within right-wing circles, have accused the government of exercising state censorship in these cases.
