Hackers send phishing emails from CDU account, including to Merz

A hacked CDU email account in Heilbronn was used to send messages to about 6,500 contacts, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German police said.

Ministries and the party's political contacts received the emails. Police said preliminary findings indicated that many recipients worked in security-related areas.

The messages contained a link presented as an invitation to an event featuring prominent guests. Police are treating the mailing as a possible phishing attack.

Investigators opened an inquiry into the compromised email account.