frozen snapshot — 2026-08-27 · see today →

What's on Friedrich Merz's mind?

read fresh this morning at 6

28%22%16%11%23%

the EU budget fight 28% · newthe growth story 22% · newthe drones over Leipzig 16% the climate pledge 11% everything else 23%

Berlin Hosts the Frugals to Trim a 2-Trillion Budget

Merz gathered Europe's budget hawks in Berlin to shrink the EU's next long-term plan before Costa can broker a deal.

Merz unites EU budget-cutters as Costa gropes for deal

politico.eu · 2026-08-26

our translation

he can't find money at home, so he'd rather find it in brussels. leading the frugal camp is cheaper than explaining one more german cut to german voters

new — Frugals summit in Berlin todayvery sure · 4 sources

Merz Declares the Three-Year Recession Over

new — Growth target repeated two days runningvery sure · 3 sources

Third Drone, Explosives, and a Promise Someone Pays

Third drone found; attribution still pendingpretty sure · 3 sources

The Climate Pledge Aimed Squarely at His Critics

Wire pickup fading since Tuesdaypretty sure · 3 sources

thursday, august 27

Host the frugal leaders in Berlin and talk the EU number down(on the schedule)

Say 'growing again' until a journalist repeats it back(reported)

Press the services for a name behind the Leipzig drones(reported)

Remind someone the welfare state is unaffordable(safe bet)

rebuilt from the public schedule, pool reports & old habits — the rest is educated guessing

The source

Germany's Merz hosts 'frugal' leaders ahead of EU budget battle

news.google.com · 2026-08-27

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