A gathering linked to Germany’s culture minister reportedly offers €80,000 access to senior politicians
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has defended a summit run by his culture minister’s media group, which offers access to top politicians for as much as €80,000, dismissing accusations of wrongdoing, according to media reports.
The annual Ludwig Erhard Summit is run by the Weimer Media Group, which Culture and Media Commissioner Wolfram Weimer co-founded with his wife, and is promoted as a gathering that brings together senior politicians, corporate executives, and media leaders.
The scandal erupted earlier this month after several media outlets reported that Weimer’s media company was selling access to politicians – including seats at an “exclusive meeting lounge” – for up to €80,000, according to Apollo News and Brussels Signal.
Merz dismissed the accusations, saying they have “been proven to be false” and were orchestrated by the right-wing.
Opposition lawmakers and transparency groups said the arrangement risks corruption because Weimer oversees media policy while his family’s company profits from selling political access, Deutsche Welle reported on Tuesday.
A Social Democrat lawmaker told the outlet that “when tickets for events with politicians and especially government members are sold for thousands of euros, it always leaves a bad taste.” The right-wing Alternative for Germany party called for Weimer’s resignation.
Despite the scandal, the 2026 summit remains on the calendar. The list of featured speakers includes senior government ministers such as Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei, Research and Technology Minister Dorothee Bar, and Economy Minister Katherina Reiche – all from Merz’s conservative Christian Democrats.
Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung reported last week that Frei and Bar moved to distance themselves from the summit’s ‘Executive Night’, but both are still listed as speakers, along with Bavarian Premier Markus Soder.
Weimer has said he stepped down from executive functions in the Weimer Media Group upon taking office, and that his wife now controls the business. A law firm has issued Merz a legal warning accusing him of unfair advertising by using his office to promote the summit, a business tied to Weimer’s former company.
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