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Merz's jerk speech: A move towards unity or hot air?
Friedrich Merz speaks about German unity in Saarbrücken on October 3, 2025. Reforms and a positive future are the focus.
Merz's jerk speech: A move towards unity or hot air?
On October 3, 2025, the 35th anniversary of German unity will be celebrated in Saarbrücken. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced an important speech for this special occasion, which he would like to design as a so-called “ruck speech”, inspired by the famous speech by former Federal President Roman Herzog in 1997. But Merz doesn’t just want to lose himself in nostalgic memories. Rather, he focuses on pressing issues that are currently affecting the country and that people need to find solutions in order to achieve positive change. Antenne Münster reports that Merz has set himself the goal of improving the mood in the country and supporting important reforms, especially in the social system.
The Chancellor speaks of a cultural change that is necessary to create a spirit of optimism. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) even emphasized that the mood of the population is seen as the main opponent of political work. It is all the more important that Merz considers solutions for key challenges such as non-wage labor costs, taxes and the welfare state Daily Mirror reported. This is the only way that all actors – from employers to employees to unions – can actively participate in the change process.
A look at the celebrations
The central ceremony for German Unity Day takes place in Saarbrücken, where the federal state chairs the states. Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) will also give a speech in her role as President of the Federal Council. In addition to Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected as a guest of honor. The motto of the day is “Future through change” and “Celebrate what unites us”.
An ecumenical service will mark the start of the feast day in the morning before the official celebrations begin. In a ZDF interview, former Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the guest list and suggested that people from Eastern Europe or East Germany should also be invited in order to represent a broader spectrum.
Social context and opinions
Despite the celebration, not everyone is happy about the unity. Surveys show that many people are disillusioned; 30% believe that East and West Germans are more divided than united. If we take a closer look, 47% of West Germans and 57% of East Germans have the feeling that there are unresolved problems with reunification. Nevertheless, 61% of those surveyed in the ARD Germany trend are satisfied with the state of German unity.
In this polarized mood, the chairwoman of the Left, Ines Schwerdtner, said that the country can only be united in the feeling of a negative development. In contrast, SED victim representative Evelyn Zupke described German Unity Day as a moment of gratitude and happiness.
On the evening of October 3rd, Merz will also take part in the “Germany sings & sounds” event in Halle an der Saale, which commemorates the peace prayers of 1989. Friedrich Merz is therefore not only faced with the challenge of motivating, but also of specifying how his call for change can manifest itself in the coalition's actions Antenna Münster reports.