Merz Will Not Attend Macron’s Space Summit – POLITICO

The absence of the German leader at the international space summit poses a significant challenge, especially as many participants have criticized the event for being directionless and poorly organized. Key U.S. space companies, including SpaceX, withdrew due to White House pressure. Despite this, the event is still framed as co-chaired by France and Germany, with German Minister Dorothee Bär and French Minister Philippe Baptiste slated to open the summit. Other notable speakers include German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.