German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz listens during a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz listens during a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a reception of laureates of the federal contest "Jugend forscht" 2026 (Youth researches) at the chancellery in Berlin, on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images)