Published on
22/08/2026 - 17:28 GMT+2
It was his first public engagement after the summer break: Two days after the complete extinguishing of the forest fire in the Hürtgen Forest, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) visited the affected area today to thank the emergency services.
Merz was met with boos and whistles. Numerous onlookers gathered on the village square where Merz arrived. At times the chancellor was barely audible, as his words were drowned out.
A member of the Hürtgenwald volunteer fire brigade expressed anger at the loud reactions. "Those who are shouting and whistling should turn that negative energy into positive energy and become members of the fire brigade or of the THW," said the firefighter.
