The SPD rejected criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Germany’s stance on the Middle‑East conflict.
“It remains correct to stay out of this war” said the SPD parliamentary group’s foreign‑policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic in an interview with the “Tagesspiegel” (Sunday edition). “Before the attack on Iran, the United States consulted no partners. Today we’re witnessing a war that is not only illegal but also lacks clear objectives, an exit strategy, or a plan for what follows”.
Trump had earlier criticized Chancellor Merz for the lack of aid to secure the Strait of Hormus. At a conference in Miami, the Republican leader first targeted NATO allies France and the United Kingdom, then turned to Germany, saying, “The German chancellor-these are all my friends-Friedrich. The German chancellor said, ‘This is not our war.'” Trump added that the conflict in Ukraine was likewise not a U.S. war.
Ahmetovic emphasized that the SPD parliamentary group is “not willing to send German soldiers into such a mission”. European NATO partners have, however, made it clear under what conditions they would consider support: “Only after the fighting ends and the Strait of Hormus is secured, and only under an international mandate. In the meantime, the United States could make a decisive contribution to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine if it were to increase diplomatic pressure on Putin”.
The SPD foreign‑policy spokesman said the so‑called Western alliance can remain strong “if it has the political will for unity, not subordination, and if the credibility of a rules‑based order is preserved”.