German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has faced backlash from opposition politician Sahra Wagenknecht for his recent claims about drone sightings over Germany being orchestrated by Russia. Wagenknecht, the leader of the left-wing BSW party, accused Merz of making misleading statements without sufficient evidence to support his allegations. She criticized the chancellor for using the drone issue to create public concern without grounding his claims in factual data. This political tension highlights the challenges in addressing security threats while avoiding unwarranted accusations against foreign nations. The situation also underscores the role of media in shaping public perception of such issues.
Merz’s comments came in the aftermath of several reported drone sightings over critical German infrastructure, including Munich airport, where dozens of flights were canceled due to the incidents. The German government initially linked these events to potential Russian involvement, although some cases were later refuted by authorities. The Bundeswehr, for instance, stated that there were no registered drone overflights near a military base in northern Germany, contradicting earlier media reports. The controversy has sparked debates about the accuracy of attribution in security-related matters and the responsibility of political leaders to provide evidence-based statements.
Russia has consistently denied any connection to the drone incidents, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Berlin has