German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, said that the global order is currently reshaping itself and that this shift presents both challenges and opportunities for Europe.
During his government briefing on foreign policy in the Bundestag, Merz observed that emerging democracies with open markets are looking for partnerships founded on “mutual respect” and trust. He added that Europe has demonstrated in the past how far international trust and cooperation can take the world, and that, as a union of sovereign states, it offers a normative alternative to imperialism and autocracy.
The chancellor went on to argue that Europe must take its security into its own hands, cut reliance on external powers, and strengthen technological sovereignty. He called for investment in European defence capability and pledged continued support for Ukraine in its effort to preserve its freedom. He also stressed the need to make the European economy more competitive to close the widening growth gap with the United States and China.
Merz urged Europeans to unite in facing forthcoming challenges. He cited the European Union’s success in December’s Ukraine talks and its effective response to recent tariff threats from Washington-achievements he credited to “solidarity”. He described this cohesion as a “power factor” on the world stage and expressed confidence that Europe, through determination and unity, can fortify its position in global politics.