The leader of the CDU (Center-Direct) is committed to playing a more active role within the European Union, in a context of decline in transatlantic interest in Europe.
After winning the German federal elections Sunday, February 22, the chief of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Center-Droit Friedrich Merz does not have time to rejoice.
His government – as soon as he manages to train him – will have work to do.
The way in which Germany is positioned in Europe, which faces an increasingly tense rhetoric on the part of the American president Donald Trump and his administration, is at the top of this list.
Friedrich Merz described this period as “MInuit minus five for Europe “, Speaking at a press conference the day after the results showing that he had led his party to victory with 28 % of the vote.
“”All the signals that we receive from the United States indicate that interest in Europe clearly decreases and that the desire to get involved in Europe is falling as a result “ he concluded.
When asked how the continent should answer Washington who suggests that Europe should not count on the United States for its security, Mr. Merz said that his good relations with a solid skewer of continent leaders could offer a solution.
French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are all on the same wavelength, with him.
“”Europe is united“, insisted the future chancellor.
If those who are not only doing “America first“, but almost“America alone” them prevail, so it will be difficult“He added.
Further than Scholz in supporting Ukraine
In recent weeks, European allies have endeavored to show unity in the face of the pressure exerted by American president Donald Trump to end the Russian war in Ukraine, apparently without kyiv being involved in negotiations.
The CDU leader generally declared that he was ready to go further in the support of Ukraine that the German Chancellor Scholz, suggesting that he could be ready to send long -range Taurus missiles to the country torn by torn by The war – which Mr. Scholz has excluded several times.
Mr. Macron and Mr. Starmer mentioned the idea of sending European peacekeeping troops in the event of agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
Mr. Merz did not categorically reject the idea, but told public channels Ard and ZDF before the elections he was “too early to think about it”. The war in Ukraine would end with a “Ukrainian army capable of continuing to defend itself,” he said.
With regard to the NATO military alliance, Mr. Merz asked, during a televised debate after the publication of the scoring on Sunday, if “we can still talk about NATO in its current form” when the Alliance will meet for its next summit scheduled for June.
The next day, he said, however, that the NATO alliance “continued to work well” and that it intended to progress on its “European pillar”.
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Friedrich Merz has made foreign and security policy one of the main priorities of his government. However, he must first negotiate a successful coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) and find the money necessary to invest in Ukraine and the defense and security of Germany.
“It seems to recognize the extent of the challenges and considers Germany as a key state to take up them. It is important that it manages to mobilize the financial resources necessary for a strong German security and defense policy”said Jana Puglierin, director of the European Council for Foreign Relations in Berlin.
“”However, this could be very difficult. If he wants to soften the brake on debt or create a second special defense fund, he will need the votes of the AFD or the party of GauchE “, adds Ms. Puglierin.
The alternative far right party for Germany (AFD) and the far left party Die Linke (the left) both progressed during the weekend elections and remain opposed to the reform of the brake on debt to debt Listed in the constitution of the country, which would allow Mr. Merz to raise more defense funds. Together, they have enough seats to block this reform.
ADVERTISEMENTAFD, in particular, campaigned on the slogan “Germany first“And argued that Berlin should disengage from Ukraine and try to restore relations with Russia. AFD should become the largest opposition party in the country after the weekend elections.
Germany is the most populous country in the European Union and one of the main members of NATO. It is also the second supplier of arms to Ukraine after the United States.
