Friedrich Merz

Total:7

  • The Germans no longer trust the U.S. for security 2025-04-13 20:31

    By Michael Kimmage and Sudha David-Wilp

    The Zeitenwende is real this time

    Germany’s defense upgrade is necessary but could upset Europe’s balance of power

    For many years, Germany has needed to dramatically expand its defenses, and today, it finally seems ready to do so. When Russia annexed Crimea and invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014, Germany’s response was muted. Berlin held inconclusive talks with the Kremlin, imposed a handful of sanctions, and then quietly returned to business as usual with Moscow. After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a Zeitenwende, or “turning point.” He promised to increase defense spending, send more aid to Ukraine, and rapidly reduce Germany’s energy dependence on Russia. In the end, the Zeitenwende was a turning point in name only. Hamstrung by coalition infighting, Scholz failed to overhaul Germany’s defenses.

  • germany 2025-04-09 19:32

    Germany’s Merz is already in political trouble

    Friedrich Merz has yet to begin his chancellorship, but he’s already feeling the heat.

  • Germany 2025-03-16 20:32

    By Thorsten Benner

    Germany is rethinking everything nuclear

    The incoming German government, rattled by the prospect of U.S. President Donald Trump withdrawing security guarantees, is preparing a fundamental readjustment of its defense posture. The new coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) has already agreed to push for changes to the debt brake that would pave the way to dramatically higher military spending. Germany’s likely next chancellor, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, stated that “in view of the threats to our freedom and peace on our continent,” the government’s new motto needs to be “whatever it takes.”

  • EU 2025-03-05 18:16

    EU's von der Leyen proposes €800bn defense plan

    The European Commission president says increasing defense spending is necessary in "an era of rearmament." 

  • The ICC rejected statements made by Friedrich Merz, leader of the German CDU, who said he had invited Netanyahu to visit Germany 2025-02-25 22:53

    By Matin Jamshidi

    Not yet taking the helm, Merz seeks to serve as subservient to Netanyahu

    TEHRAN - Friedrich Merz, who is expected to be Germany’s next chancellor, told reporters on Monday that he would make sure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can visit Germany despite an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

  • CDU's Friedrich Merz thanks voters as he is greeted with cheers 2025-02-24 20:23

    Merz calls for 'step by step' independence from US

    Germany's next leader, Friedrich Merz, has issued a stark warning to Europe that the United States has become "largely indifferent" to the continent's fate and it must become independent.

  • CDU's Merz set to become chancellor 2025-02-24 02:13

    Germany's conservatives win parliamentary polls, far right AfD scores historic result

    Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance led by Friedrich Merz won Sunday's elections with 28.6 percent of the vote.