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Leader of Germany’s ruling parliamentary group rejects rumors of Merz’s early resignation

Thorsten Frei said that "the chancellor’s authority" had not been damaged

BERLIN, August 8. /TASS/. Thorsten Frei, the chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, rejected rumors that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz may step down before his term expires.

"Friedrich Merz is an elected chancellor. He will remain in his office over the entire legislative period," Frei told the Funke media group in an interview. "The chancellor’s authority has not been affected."

Earlier, Merz was heavily criticized by his fellow party members because of the recent governmental reshuffle. The chancellor said the situation will "calm down" by September. Nevertheless, certain experts believe that if the CDU loses the regional elections in Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Saxony-Anhalt in September, his own party may force him to resign before the term formally expires.

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