The Merz Affair and Germany’s War on Free Speech

In a democracy, citizens must have the right to express their frustration with those who govern them. It’s not looking good for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Plagued by dismal approval ratings, he has also acquired a reputation for being thin-skinned, censorious, and authoritarian. Last week, the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg ordered Merz’s office—the Federal Chancellery—to disclose information on proceedings related to alleged insults against him, including which public prosecutor’s offices are investigating the cases and under which file numbers the proceedings are being conducted. In total, this involves approximately 300 cases. The news caused a stir and has the...