Germany is, according to the words of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) Thanks to improved defense capabilities, it is once again a central player in international politics. “We must not stand by and watch the world being reorganized,” said Merz at one Government statement in the Bundestag. “We are not a pawn of major powers.” Germany is back on the international stage.
Merz assured that the upcoming challenges could be overcome on our own: “We want and we must remain an active actor who stands up for our interests and our values with determination and assertiveness,” emphasized the Chancellor and expressed the conviction: “We can do that too.” Take this Federal Government not only assumes responsibility at the national level, but also as a co-creator of a new European order. As the EU’s strongest country in terms of population and economy, Germany bears a special responsibility.
Merz cited Germany’s improved defense capability as the most important factor. The federal government has significantly increased the defense budget, adjusted the Basic Law, introduced important laws and accelerated procurement and recruitment.
Merz thanks the SPD for a common migration policy
In his speech, Merz thanked the SPD for its cooperation in migration policy. He sees the decline in the number of asylum seekers as a success for black and red. Since the government took over, the numbers have halved, which is the most significant decline in Europe.
“I just want to put it in one sentence: If we want to remain an open area of the internal market, freedom of movement, if we don’t want to have any borders in Europe – and that was always my wish – then we have to better protect the external borders of the European Union,” said the CDU politician.
Further economic relief
Promised on the subject of the economy Merz further relief. “I know that all of this is not enough for the precarious situation of the German economy,” he said. Among other things, Merz announced the introduction of an industrial electricity price. In addition, new gas power plants should be built to secure electricity supply.
About the EU move away from combustion engines Merz was mostly satisfied. “We will still have to talk about details. But we want to achieve both goals together: climate neutrality and modernization of our automotive industry with as many technologies as possible that can contribute to this,” said the Chancellor.
Left-wing MP Janine Wissler criticized demands from Merz’s cabinet, such as increasing the retirement age and renegotiating the coalition agreement. Merz rejected the criticism that the coalition agreement applies unchanged.
AfD criticizes Ukraine policy
When asked by Green MP Konstantin von Notz about cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns, especially from Russia, Merz referred to the newly installed National Security Council. Nevertheless, he admitted that there was a lack of tools to effectively counter the attacks.
The AfD accused Merz’s government of considering a multinational force in Ukraine “to turn the spiral of escalation in Europe”. “It is to be feared that your policy will in the long term initiate or want to initiate a case of tension in order to deploy those doing military service in Ukraine,” said AfD party leader Tino Chrupalla.
You can read the speeches in the Bundestag in our live blog.
