Former German chancellor Angela Merkel (C) takes part in a talk hosted by Mariam Lau (L), German newspaper Die Zeit political editor, and Roman Pletter, head of the business section of Die Zeit, at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus theatre in Hamburg, northern Germany on February 5, 2025. Former German chancellor Angela Merkel on January 30, 2025 criticised Friedrich Merz, who succeeded her as leader of the conservative CDU party, for relying on far-right support to pass a parliamentary motion demanding tougher immigration rules. (Photo by Gregor Fischer / AFP) (Photo by GREGOR FISCHER/AFP via Getty Images)