A special edition of the ZDF talk show "Maybrit Illner" will take place on Thursday, 02.07.2026, starting at 7:25 PM on ZDF. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (70) is a guest on the upcoming show. This is the topic.

What is the Topic of the "Maybrit Illner Spezial" on ZDF?

The topic of the show is: Is This the Fresh Start, Mr. Merz?

The pressure on Friedrich Merz and the coalition is enormous. The government has now agreed to reform income tax for the coming year. Citizens are to be relieved, with the focus primarily on people with low and middle incomes, it is said. The volume of relief amounts to approximately ten billion euros per year.

At the same time, telephone medical certificates will be abolished and a certificate of incapacity for work will become mandatory starting from the first day of illness. Merz wants to "get Germany moving again", he says at a press conference.

In an announcement about the special edition, which was issued before the current developments, there is mention that questions about the planned reform package will be answered. These include, for example, whether the reforms will be sufficient to bring momentum to the economy and pull Germany out of the crisis. In addition, the question of a fair distribution of burdens is to be clarified - and why trust in the Chancellor and the government has increasingly waned recently.

Which Guests Are Discussing on Maybrit Illner in the Show?

Since this is a special edition of the show, no additional guests have been announced.

The ZDF Talk Show "Maybrit Illner"

The weekly political talk show "Maybrit Illner" has been broadcast on ZDF since October 14, 1999, and is produced at the capital city studio Unter den Linden in Berlin. Hosted by experienced Berlin journalist Maybrit Illner (born 1965), the show is characterized by its dynamic and in-depth discussions on current political and social topics. Illner regularly invites leading figures from politics, business, and society to discuss pressing questions affecting Germany and the world.

The show is known for its special formats and occasional special editions, such as the "TV-Duell der Opposition" or "illner intensiv", which provide deeper insights and discussions during times of political and social turning points.

Each show is available in the media library of public broadcasters from the time of broadcast.