A comprehensive investigation by the investigative media house CORRECTIV sheds light on the close ties of the current Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to large corporations and lobby organizations. Under the title "The Man of Large Corporations: Friedrich Merz's Lobby Network", the study shows how Merz built a network over decades that made him the ideal contact person for the interests of the economy – and what questions this raises for his role as head of government.
Merz's Career: From Lawyer to Chancellor
Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany since May 2025, was a central figure at the interface between business and politics long before his political comeback. As a lawyer and senior counsel at the international law firm Mayer Brown, he advised renowned DAX companies, including the chemical giant BASF, until 2021. BASF has confirmed for the first time previous mandates for Merz from 2010 and 2011, which were not previously publicly documented. However, the company remains silent about the exact activities.
In addition to his legal work, Merz sat on numerous supervisory boards, including those of AXA, HSBC Trinkaus, Deutsche Börse, and the municipal utility association WEK. His role on the supervisory board of BASF Antwerp, a subsidiary of the chemical company, is particularly noteworthy. These positions, combined with his work for Mayer Brown, brought Merz millions in income. His former law firm colleague John P. Schmitz openly praises Merz's abilities: "He was the best man for the DAX corporations because he knew how to use political contacts for clients."
Influence on Politics: The CDU Party Program
The CORRECTIV investigation shows how strongly Merz's ties to the business world influence politics. The CDU's election program for the 2025 federal election contains passages that adopt demands from lobby organizations such as the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) and the German Business Association Metals (WVM) almost verbatim. These include demands for tax cuts, less bureaucracy, and a loosening of environmental regulations – points that are also prominently featured in the CDU program.
Organizations such as the Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft (INSM) and the Wirtschaftsrat der CDU, which have supported Merz for years, play a key role in this. The INSM, financed by the metal and electrical industry, has advocated for market-oriented policies in recent years that benefit large corporations. The Wirtschaftsrat der CDU, on the other hand, where Merz was active for a long time, acts as a direct interface between the party and companies. According to CORRECTIV, Merz was a sought-after speaker at events of these organizations, where he presented his vision of a deregulated economy.
Criticism from Politics
The revelations are meeting with sharp criticism from the opposition. SPD Bundestag member Frank Schwabe calls for full transparency regarding Merz’ former mandates and warns of potential conflicts of interest: “The citizens have a right to know who their chancellor worked for.” Ines Schwerdtner, chairwoman of The Left party, expresses herself even more sharply, calling Merz the “personification of the revolving door effect.” She points out that Merz’ move from politics to business and back carries the risk that political decisions will be made in the interest of a few corporations.
Independent experts are also sounding the alarm. Political scientist Thomas Biebricher from the University of Frankfurt describes Merz as the “most strongly neoliberal-influenced candidate for chancellor that Germany has ever had.” According to Biebricher, this orientation could lead to environmental and social standards being weakened in favor of economic interests. He is particularly critical of Merz’ close ties to the chemical industry, which could benefit from a relaxation of strict environmental regulations.
Merz’ reaction: Silence
The Chancellor’s press office left CORRECTIV’s inquiries about potential conflicts of interest unanswered. There was also no statement in response to follow-up questions about his former mandates and their influence on current political decisions. This reticence fuels doubts about Merz’ transparency and intensifies the debate about the role of lobbying in German politics.
Conclusion: A Chancellor Under Scrutiny
The CORRECTIV investigation reveals how deeply Friedrich Merz was – and possibly still is – involved in the structures of big business and lobbying. While his supporters praise his economic expertise, critics see his past as a risk to the independence of his political decisions. Given the challenges facing Germany – from the climate crisis to social justice – Merz’ chancellorship will continue to be closely watched. The question remains: Whose interests will he primarily represent?
Source: CORRECTIV, “The Man of Big Corporations: Friedrich Merz’s Lobby Network,” January 28, 2025, https://correctiv.org/aktuelles/wirtschaft/2025/01/28/bester-mann-der-grosskonzerne-das-lobby-netzwerk-von-friedrich-merz/
