Called “Pinocchio”: Police investigate insults against Merz:

stern.de/politik/deutschland/beleidigung-gegen-merz---polizei-ermittelt-gegen-heilbronner-37162750.html

Feb 23

Insult against Merz - | Police investigate Heilbronn resident: Chancellor Merz is coming to Heilbronn at the end of October. The visit is being discussed on ...

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stuttgarter-nachrichten.de Feb 23

Heilbronn - | Police investigate insults after Merz visit: Chancellor Merz visited Heilbronn at the end of October. The visit sparked heated discussions on ...

stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.heilbronn-polizei-ermittelt-nach-merz-besuch-wegen-beleidigungen.9c580917-9e52-4a82-a3c0-d61ed776060d.html

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stuttgarter-zeitung.de/lokales/baden-wuerttemberg/merz-pinocchio-heilbronn-luegenfritz-79403619.html

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Merz as "Pinocchio" - | pensioner defends statement: "Pinocchio is coming to HN" - | you can say that about the Chancellor without getting punished. "Lying Fritz ...

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After cases like the Merz insult in Heilbronn: Will the paragraph on insulting politicians soon be softened?

focus.de/politik/deutschland/merz-als-lackaffe-bezeichnet-strafbefehl_56fb6758-44b2-4d00-b818-42ec7ca3d5a9.html

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Insult against Chancellor Merz? Öhringen District Court rules on “Lügenfritz”: There have been comments directed at Friedrich Merz surrounding the ...

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stuttgarter-nachrichten.de May 28

Heilbronn draws a clear line - Merz described as a "paint monkey" - Local court issues penalty order

Key FactsFine Issued for Insulting Chancellor Online

May 28, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: swr.de

The Heilbronn prosecutor deemed the term 'Lackaffe' offensive and outside acceptable political critique toward Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Authorities reviewed 38 Facebook comments related to a police post, with only the 'Lackaffe' remark resulting in legal action.

A fine of 30 daily rates was issued by the local court, with the accused filing an appeal.

The 'Pinocchio' comment was dismissed as protected free speech and a permissible form of political criticism.

"Lackaffe" (translated as "lacquered fool")— Facebook comment under the Heilbronn Police Department's post about Merz's visit; the term is used to insult the Chancellor.

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"Political activity significantly hampered": Court rules on insult of Merz as "lackaffe"

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OpinionFriedrich Merz insulted as "Pinocchio" - | Police file charges against pensioner: A pensioner calls Chancellor Friedrich Merz "Pinocchio" on Facebook - | now the ...

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Prosecutor's office decides: “Pinocchio” comparison with Merz has no legal consequences

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German police probe Facebook comments as Merz described as Pinocchio: German police are probing several people over potentially insulting comments posted on ...

dpa-international.com/politics/urn:newsml:dpa.com:20090101:260223-99-624324/