Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced sharp criticism from a pediatrician and a concerned parent over recent health policy reforms during a televised roundtable discussion.

During a heated TV segment titled ‘At the Table with Friedrich Merz,’ the German Chancellor was confronted by a pediatrician who accused him of breaking his oath of office with policies she described as harmful and dehumanizing. The debate revolved around the controversial healthcare reform package, which critics argue disproportionately affects patients rather than corporations. Merz rejected the accusation, calling it an unacceptable personal attack, and defended his administration’s commitment to solving pressing grievances without compromising public trust.

Adding to the tension, a father in the audience voiced frustration over perceived neglect of families in government policies, accusing leaders of abandoning households with children. Merz responded by emphasizing the government’s ongoing support for families while admitting fiscal constraints limit the scope of additional interventions. He dismissed the criticism as overly harsh, implying that family-oriented investments remain a priority despite budgetary challenges.

In a separate discussion during the broadcast, Merz addressed the looming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and issued a clear rejection of any coalition possibilities with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The Chancellor criticized the party for its alleged connections with Russian leadership and its stated goals of dismantling integral EU structures. Merz reaffirmed his party’s stance against engaging with the AfD, highlighting the ideological divide and the CDU’s commitment to preserving Germany’s role in the European Union.