German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (3rd R) takes his seat between Chief of Staff and Minister for Special Tasks Nina Warken (2nd R), German State Minister for Federal-State Relations in the Chancellery Philipp Amthor (R), German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (4th L), German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (3rd L), German Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Baerbel Bas (2nd L) and German Minister for Research, Technology and Aerospace Dorothee Baer ((L) as they prepare for the start of the second day of a two day retreat meeting of the German cabinet on August 26, 2026 in Neuhardenberg, northeastern Germany. (Photo by Michael Kappeler / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)