German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will not attend the space summit organized by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris this week. A spokesperson for the Chancellor cited a demanding schedule as the primary reason for the cancellation. Merz is expected to hold discussions with European Council President António Costa and address the Bundestag on Wednesday, followed by meetings with the President of the United Arab Emirates and German diplomatic staff on Thursday. This decision follows a significant electoral setback for Merz's party in Saxony-Anhalt. The Chancellor's withdrawal adds further pressure to the summit, which has already faced criticism regarding its organization and lack of clear objectives. Furthermore, several prominent American aerospace firms, including SpaceX, had previously announced their intention to withdraw from the event.
Source : Politico Europe
