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 documents from Merz's CDU party showed he would step down next week because of poor poll ratings. Both organisations said the video was fabricated.

The 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.

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 would 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.