The President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Manfred Weber (CSU), sees a leading role for Germany in Europe if CDU leader Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor.
“We can expect Germany to take a significant role in Europe again if Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor” Weber told Politico on Thursday. “Europe is waiting for that.” He criticized Olaf Scholz (SPD) as the acting Chancellor, saying that while Scholz was physically present in Brussels, he was mentally absent.
Weber made these comments before an EPP meeting in Berlin, where a concept for reducing bureaucracy in Europe was to be adopted. “Less bureaucracy is the top theme” he said. “Friedrich Merz and the EPP have put it at the top of the agenda.”
Weber expects a less divided Germany to have a greater influence in European decision-making if a government led by the Union comes to power. “The federal government will speak with one voice in Europe again. Friedrich Merz is committed to that” the EPP chief said. “Issues of disagreement between coalition partners must be resolved in the coalition committee in Berlin, not on the open stage in Brussels.