CDU's Friedrich Merz Regrets Controversial Voicemail to Green Party Leader

Merz acknowledges misstep in contacting Britta Haßelmann about critical debt package negotiations, emphasizing his intent to expedite communication.

Friedrich Merz, CDU leader, left a voicemail for Green Party leader Britta Haßelmann to discuss a major debt package, sparking criticism from the Greens.
Merz stated he would have approached communication differently if he had foreseen the backlash from leaving the voicemail.
The voicemail was intended to prepare discussions about constitutional amendments requiring Green Party support for passage in the Bundestag.
Merz explained his urgency to contact Haßelmann before a press conference following SPD and CDU coalition talks on the debt package.
Despite the controversy, negotiations between the CDU, SPD, and Greens succeeded, with the Bundestag set to vote on the constitutional amendments on Tuesday.