Nov 7, 9:02 AM
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Adjusts Birthday Plans for Family Visit
The chancellor will dine with his family in Berlin instead of attending a concert at the Philharmonic on his 71st birthday.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will alter his schedule for his upcoming 71st birthday on Wednesday, 11 November, to accommodate a family visit in Berlin. The CDU leader announced the change to his personal plans during a public event organized by the newspaper Westfalenpost in the city of Hagen on Friday evening.
The chancellor had originally intended to spend the evening attending a concert at the Berlin Philharmonic. However, following confirmation that his wife and one of his daughters would be traveling to the capital, Merz decided to cancel the concert visit. Out of consideration for his visiting family, he planned instead to hold a private dinner at an Italian restaurant.
During his appearance in Hagen, the chancellor emphasized the personal value of spending time with family members on his birthday, describing the scheduled visit as a welcome gift. Merz, who originates from the Sauerland region in western Germany, is married and has a family that includes one son, two daughters, and grandchildren.
Despite the evening personal arrangements, the chancellor's birthday will begin with standard government business in Berlin. Merz is scheduled to lead a regular meeting of the federal cabinet on Wednesday morning prior to meeting his family.
The date of 11 November also coincides with the traditional start of the German carnival season, which officially opens each year at precisely 11:11 a.m. As a native of the Sauerland, Merz is familiar with the regional customary kickoff, which takes place on the same morning as his cabinet duties and birthday celebrations.
Written by Freya Stensrud freya.stensrud@alpineweekly.com
