UAE state visit stirs German aviation row, pressure mounts on Merz

A state visit by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Germany has sparked a dispute over potential Emirates direct flights, alarming Lufthansa and triggering competition among German federal states. Concurrently, internal party pressure on Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz is rising, though details remain unclear. The episode signals friction in Germany-UAE economic diplomacy and domestic political strain for Merz.