According to the report of the news magazine “Mirror” Merz is said to have sent two text messages to Sánchez, called him once and tried to reach him on the way to an election campaign meeting in Stockach on Lake Constance. Every time in vain. Madrid explained this with a simple glitch: Merz had used an outdated number, Sánchez regularly changed his contact details for security reasons.

Merz can’t get through to Sánchez – he’s happily on the phone with other heads of government

Particularly embarrassing for Berlin: In the meantime, the Spanish Prime Minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazilian President Ignacio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Previously, Merz had one Meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Criticism of Spain expressed. Trump had described Spain as a “terrible” ally because Madrid allowed the USA to use air bases for military purposes Iran war had refused. Merz initially listened to the tirade in silence and then even agreed with Trump’s further criticism of Spanish defense spending being too low, without publicly rejecting the scolding of Spain.

Spanish head of government takes advantage of the international stage

After returning from Washington, Merz tried to limit the damage. Every time in vain. While Berlin is waiting for a debate, Sánchez has long since used the international stage for himself. He presents Spain’s refusal to release US military bases for the Iran war as a question of international law – and garners solidarity for it.

In Berlin, meanwhile, they don’t want to play an extra role in the production of Sanchez as the anti-Trump. In the run-up to the next NATO summit in Ankara in July, Germany is increasingly tasked with reminding its European partners of their defense obligations. But now there is at least a ray of hope. According to the Spanish government, the “purely logistical difficulties” have been overcome. Friedrich Merz now has the right number. It is still unclear whether Sánchez will answer a call from the Chancellor.