Germany's Merz and soccer: A PR move that backfired
Key takeaways
- "You've inspired us," read a post by Chancellor Merz on X right after Germany's lackluster performance and early elimination from the FIFA World Cup.
- The reaction from the Federal Chancellery came in the middle of the night in Germany, immediately after the match had ended.
- Many were left scratching their heads asking whether Merz actually watched the same game as roughly 16 million Germans who had stayed up late to watch the elimination live around 2 a.m.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
"You've inspired us," read a post by Chancellor Merz on X right after Germany's lackluster performance and early elimination from the FIFA World Cup. It is seen as a communication blunder that has repercussions.
https://p.dw.com/p/5GOwp Image: Ludovic Marin/AFPAdvertisement"Helpless, frustrating, second-rate": These were the comments on social media following yet another early exit by the German men's national soccer team from a World Cup. In the capital, Berlin, the disappointment was palpable early Tuesday morning. Eliminated by Paraguay after a lackluster performance, the team lost in a penalty shootout.
The reaction from the Federal Chancellery came in the middle of the night in Germany, immediately after the match had ended. "Even though the elimination hurts: What a game! With your dedication and team spirit at this World Cup, you've inspired our country. We're proud of you," read Chancellor Friedrich Merz's post.