Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said he intends to push for a much faster pace of reforms both in the European Union and in Germany. During a government briefing to the Bundestag on Wednesday, he noted that the country and the EU are experiencing a significant bottleneck in reform implementation. This slowdown, he warned, will squeeze the “room for manoeuvre” that states, businesses, workers, and citizens currently enjoy, and it is therefore essential to reopen space for action domestically.
Merz also called for concrete decisions at the upcoming EU summit in Brussels. He framed the agenda as an ambitious pursuit of European competitiveness, arguing that it is crucial for Europe’s strength in the face of geopolitical pressures. The first part of this agenda must be carried out within the current year. In addition, he referred to the guideline for a multi‑year financial framework that is to be adopted in Brussels by the end of the year. “That is the expectation I bring with me to Brussels” Merz said.