Merz fake video blamed on Russia-linked group, source says

A German security source told AFP that a Russia-linked group was probably behind a fake video claiming Chancellor Friedrich Merz planned to resign.

The video used the branding of German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle and business daily Handelsblatt to claim leaked CDU party documents showed Merz would step down next week because of poor poll ratings. Both media organisations said the video was fabricated.

Merz's office said the claims were "completely invented" and aimed at "confusing and unnerving people". His CDU party dismissed the video as "nonsense".

The German security source said the creator was probably Storm 1516, an operation linked to Russian military intelligence. The same group is suspected of spreading disinformation during Germany's last general election in February 2025, after which Merz took office in a coalition with the Social Democrats.

France's Viginum agency, which tracks foreign disinformation campaigns, said Storm-1516 was behind at least 77 disinformation operations targeting Western countries between late 2023 and March 2025.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency told AFP the latest video showed that its creators closely follow German political developments and use them opportunistically.

The video claimed Merz planned to stand aside for Hendrik Wuest, the CDU state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia. It also referred to a "general federal election in September", although no such vote is due to take place.