Merz under fire as Brazil row threatens G20 diplomacy with Lula

A diplomatic storm brews as Merz’s comments spark outrage in Brazil. Can he mend fences before facing Lula at the G20?

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2025 November 22 . 8:50 PM

1 min read

This image is clicked in a meeting. In the front, there is a podium. To the right, there is a stand... — This image is clicked in a meeting. In the front, there is a podium. To the right, there is a stand to which mic is fixed. There is a girl standing near the podium and wearing white shirt. In the background, there is a back cloth, on which a white banner is fixed. To the right, there are some bags hanged to the thread. In the background, there is a wall.

Merz under fire as Brazil row threatens G20 diplomacy with Lula

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing criticism over recent comments about Brazil. Anton Hofreiter, a senior Green Party politician, has demanded a public retraction. The dispute comes just days before Merz is set to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the G20 summit in South Africa.

Hofreiter accused Merz of damaging Germany’s international standing with his remarks. He insisted that the chancellor must now take responsibility for limiting further fallout at the upcoming G20 conference.

The controversy places Merz in a difficult position before his meeting with Lula da Silva. Any failure to address the issue could strain ties between the two nations further. The outcome of the G20 discussion may now hinge on whether the chancellor clarifies or withdraws his earlier comments.