Germany's Merz cancels phone call with Trump after social media post celebrating AfD win to 'make Germany great again'
German chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled a planned phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, hours after Trump publicly celebrated a regional election win by Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland party.
A spokesperson for Merz declined to give a reason for the cancellation, but noted in response to questions from journalists that it was not due to scheduling conflicts, AFP said.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, hailed the “really big night” for the AfD, and used an abbreviation MGGA, apparent reference to an adapted version of Trump’s trademark slogan, “make Germany great again.”
“Wow! The Populist Party in Germany just had a really big night. They finally got tired of the absolutely horrible Immigration rules and regulations which have hurt Germany so badly. THEY ARE ON THE RISE, and not going to take it anymore! MGGA!!! President DJT”
AFP said Merz’s spokesman did not directly respond to Trump’s comments and declined to comment if there is a link between the two developments, but noted that the chancellor had frequently objected “in general terms” to “interfering in or commenting on the domestic political situation, particularly regarding elections”.