Friedrich Merz remains silent while tens of thousands are forced to live without electricity
Germany is experiencing the longest power outage since World War II, leaving tens of thousands of Berlin residents without electricity or heating as temperatures drop. This crisis has sparked widespread criticism of the federal government's handling of it.
Large areas of Berlin were plunged into darkness, disrupting daily life, transportation, and essential services. Many residents found themselves practically trapped inside their homes, struggling to stay warm while waiting for the power to return.
During the first days of the interruption, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) did not make any public statement regarding the situation. Instead, the Chancellor's official account posted a birthday greeting for Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, while his personal account shared a similar greeting for Markus Söder.
By the fourth day of the interruption, the advisor continued to speak on social media about foreign policy issues, ignoring the ongoing crisis in the capital. This silence has sparked increasing anger, as critics believe that merely a statement, a field visit, or a message of solidarity would have represented the minimum expected.
Although the official responsibility for Berlin lies with the governing mayor Kai Wagner, the incident has reopened the discussion about the role of the chancellor in national emergencies. The disruption is now seen as a new example of the widening gap between political leaders and citizens who are facing direct suffering.