German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reportedly filed hundreds of criminal complaints against members of the public for insults directed at him during his political career. Research by the Welt am Sonntag newspaper indicates that Merz is considered one of the most sensitive politicians in the history of the German republic.

The report details that during his tenure as a member of parliament, Merz initiated complaints against individuals who referred to him with derogatory terms such as "little Nazi," "asshole," and "filthy drunk." Documents from a law firm engaged by Merz to handle these complaints revealed that some incidents led to police searches, including one case where an elderly woman, who is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair, had her phone seized, which impeded her ability to communicate with her healthcare providers.

In total, the law firm collected 4,999 individual cases. Merz has collaborated with the internet monitoring agency 'So Done:', founded by former Free Democrat politician Alex Brockmeier, which monitors social media for hate speech on behalf of political figures in Germany. This agency reportedly receives 50 percent of any fines imposed on citizens.

Germany's laws against insulting politicians allow for such complaints to be filed without the politician's direct involvement. For instance, a case where a commenter labeled Merz an "asshole" was initiated by the Berlin prosecutor’s office after a tip from the group "Hesse Against Hate," a project of the local interior ministry in Hesse. This case is currently under investigation as a potential politically motivated extremist crime.

Some complaints, however, were personally signed by Merz, including one filed shortly before the federal election that led to his chancellorship in February 2025. A spokesperson for the federal government acknowledged that there have been over 170 contacts from police and public prosecutor’s offices regarding alleged insults to the Chancellor, but stated that Merz has not signed any complaints since assuming office.

This situation has drawn criticism, particularly in light of the broader context of free speech in Germany and the European Union. The Trump administration has expressed concerns about the increasing censorship in Europe, emphasizing the importance of upholding rights such as free speech and the right to choose government. A recent strategy document from the White House highlighted opposition to elite-driven restrictions on core liberties, particularly in democratic nations.

In a related incident, U.S. Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers pointed out a case where a German woman received a harsher sentence than a convicted rapist for calling him a "disgusting rapist pig," underscoring concerns about the balance between free expression and legal repercussions in Germany's current political climate.