Rob Schmitz

Lots of anger. As Merz defended himself, a yelling match began in Parliament and Chancellor Olaf Scholz finally took the podium. Here's what he said. Schultz said that three weeks ago, Merz promised never to cooperate with the AFD and voters trusted him. What are these words worth now, he asked.

Lots of anger. As Merz defended himself, a yelling match began in Parliament and Chancellor Olaf Scholz finally took the podium. Here's what he said. Schultz said that three weeks ago, Merz promised never to cooperate with the AFD and voters trusted him. What are these words worth now, he asked.

Lots of anger. As Merz defended himself, a yelling match began in Parliament and Chancellor Olaf Scholz finally took the podium. Here's what he said. Schultz said that three weeks ago, Merz promised never to cooperate with the AFD and voters trusted him. What are these words worth now, he asked.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who's in the same party as Merz, also has criticized him for doing this.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who's in the same party as Merz, also has criticized him for doing this.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who's in the same party as Merz, also has criticized him for doing this.

Well, there is an election in a few weeks and it's possible Merz is cooperating with the AFD on immigration because up to now, the AFD has owned this issue and it's led to high poll numbers. They're now in second place and Elon Musk has recently come out to support them.

Well, there is an election in a few weeks and it's possible Merz is cooperating with the AFD on immigration because up to now, the AFD has owned this issue and it's led to high poll numbers. They're now in second place and Elon Musk has recently come out to support them.

Well, there is an election in a few weeks and it's possible Merz is cooperating with the AFD on immigration because up to now, the AFD has owned this issue and it's led to high poll numbers. They're now in second place and Elon Musk has recently come out to support them.

So the logic goes if Merz's party can steal some of that spotlight, perhaps he can chip into that support and take some of those voters to his party. But many are blaming him for playing a dangerous game with Germany's democracy on this.

So the logic goes if Merz's party can steal some of that spotlight, perhaps he can chip into that support and take some of those voters to his party. But many are blaming him for playing a dangerous game with Germany's democracy on this.

So the logic goes if Merz's party can steal some of that spotlight, perhaps he can chip into that support and take some of those voters to his party. But many are blaming him for playing a dangerous game with Germany's democracy on this.

Aid groups warn lives will be lost in Gaza as winter settles in and people don't have protection against harsh elements and seasonal illnesses.

Aid groups warn lives will be lost in Gaza as winter settles in and people don't have protection against harsh elements and seasonal illnesses.

Aid groups warn lives will be lost in Gaza as winter settles in and people don't have protection against harsh elements and seasonal illnesses.

I'm Rob Schmitz, and this is Up First from NPR News. It's Black Friday. As more people say they're tightening their budgets, this is expected to be a record-breaking holiday shopping season. So what's motivating people to spend and who are they actually shopping for? And support for third parties declined in this year's election.

I'm Rob Schmitz, and this is Up First from NPR News. It's Black Friday. As more people say they're tightening their budgets, this is expected to be a record-breaking holiday shopping season. So what's motivating people to spend and who are they actually shopping for? And support for third parties declined in this year's election.

I'm Rob Schmitz, and this is Up First from NPR News. It's Black Friday. As more people say they're tightening their budgets, this is expected to be a record-breaking holiday shopping season. So what's motivating people to spend and who are they actually shopping for? And support for third parties declined in this year's election.

Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day. Israel and Lebanon agreed on a ceasefire this week to pause more than a year of fighting. But in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continue to pound the territory, where more than 40,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry there. And now people in Gaza have this to contend with.

Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day. Israel and Lebanon agreed on a ceasefire this week to pause more than a year of fighting. But in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continue to pound the territory, where more than 40,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry there. And now people in Gaza have this to contend with.