Ahead of the upcoming Bundestag elections, a dispute has arisen over the planned TV debates by ARD and ZDF. Union’s chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has stated that the decision on invitations lies with the broadcasters, while Green candidate Robert Habeck declined a duel with AfD’s Alice Weidel. The debate continues among political leaders regarding the format and participants of the debates, with claims of bias and calls for equal representation from other parties.