نقلاً عن Germany news: Merz campaigns, defense minister to Asia

News Brief: Chancellor Friedrich Merz rallies support for the CDU in Rhineland-Palatinate ahead of crucial state elections, while Defense Minister Boris Pistorius embarks on a week-long diplomatic trip to Asia.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to campaign in Rhineland-Palatinate on Friday, supporting CDU candidate Gordon Schneider in the lead-up to Sunday’s parliamentary elections. The SPD, which has held power for 35 years, faces a tight race against the CDU, with recent polls indicating a neck-and-neck competition. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will travel to Asia for a week, visiting Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Pistorius has also stated that he sees no reason to restrict U.S. military operations from the Ramstein airbase in Germany, despite Iranian demands for clarification from Berlin. In a separate legal matter, a Hanover prosecutor accused of bribery involving international drug gangs awaits a verdict, with state prosecutors recommending prison sentences for him and an accomplice. This report highlights significant political and legal developments in Germany as of March 20, 2026.

Original Source: www.dw.com