German Chancellor Friedrich Merz watches the media during a press conference at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, after yesterday's two state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz watches the media during a press conference at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, after yesterday's two state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz talks to the media during a press conference at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, after yesterday's two state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Residents inspect the rubble of a house destroyed in a strike in Patan village, Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Shafiullah Kakar)

Residents inspect the rubble of a house destroyed in a strike in Patan village, Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Shafiullah Kakar)

Residents inspect the rubble of a house destroyed in a strike in Patan village, Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Shafiullah Kakar)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to media at the Christian Democratic Union party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German chancellor Friedrich Merz is seen ahead of a press conference at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, after yesterday's two state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)