German lawmaker urges Merz to apologize for Belém comments

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been urged to apologize for comments he made about the host city at the UN Climate Conference in Brazil.

In a letter to the chancellor, German Green party lawmaker Lisa Badum - who is attending the conference - expressed regret over Merz's remarks about his visit to Belém. She said she has had to apologize repeatedly in conversations with locals. She added that Merz's comments did not reflect the Germany she wishes to represent.

Merz had travelled to Belém for a summit two weeks ago ahead of the annual climate negotiations. On his return to Berlin, the chancellor said he had asked journalists who accompanied him whether any of them wanted to stay in the city.

"No one raised their hand," Merz said. He argued that the reporters were "happy" to return to Germany, which he described as "one of the most beautiful countries in the world."

The statement triggered outraged reactions in Brazil, including from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Lula said Merz should have gone to a bar in Belém, danced and tried out the local cuisine.

"Then he would have realized that Berlin does not even offer him 10% of the quality that the state of Pará and the city of Belém provide," Lula charged.

Badum, who is also the climate policy spokeswoman for the Green Party, urged Merz to apologize to Silva and the people of Belém.

She also called on him to work with the Brazilian hosts to ensure a successful conference, saying the climate crisis required international solidarity and cooperation rather than narrow-minded arrogance.