Could Germany’s next chancellor still fly his own plane?
Friedrich Merz, the chairman of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is a dedicated private pilot. His love for flying, nurtured since his teenage years, has sparked debate about his potential flying habits if he were to become chancellor. Merz's passion for flying could symbolize his approach to the chancellorship, but he has yet to address the matter directly, focusing instead on other priorities. The question of a chancellor flying themselves raises security policy concerns. As a private pilot, Merz would need to maintain regular flight hours to keep his license. However, if elected, he would use government planes operated by the military flight readiness unit (Flugbereitschaft) of the German Armed Forces. This unit manages training and certification for official government flights, including those of the chancellor. Merz would not need to maintain his private pilot's license for these flights, but he hasn't considered whether he can continue flying privately as chancellor. Merz's decision on flying, if he becomes chancellor, remains uncertain. It's a matter of personal preference and security policy. The responsibility for regulating his pilot license would fall under the Flugbereitschaft, ensuring the safety and security of official government flights.
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