Germany’s Friedrich Merz signals seismic shift in Europe-US relations
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Germany’s vice chancellor has no Waiting for the final result of Sunday’s election heralds a new era in Europe.
Friedrich Merz declared the United States indifferent to the continent’s fate, questioned NATO’s future and asked Europe to improve its defense capabilities. Quickly.
Even this tone of American allies a few months ago – Friedrich Merz, who is known as a passionate Atlanticist, is unimaginable.
This is an earthquake transition. This may read like an exaggeration, but in the 80 years since the end of World War II, what we are now experiencing with transatlantic relations is unprecedented.
The Trump administration was shocked by the European powers at the heart, which showed that it could revoke security assurances to Europe since 1945.
On Sunday night, Friedrich Merz made Donald Trump’s U.S. and Russia’s equal range – here it is widely regarded as a security threat to Europe. He said Europe is now being squeezed by two countries, which is why urgent action is necessary.
The British Prime Minister travelled to Washington on Thursday after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit on Monday.
Friedrich Merz indirectly acknowledges a FOMO feeling-afraid of missing out. He said Germany’s rights should also be this week. Berlin is one of the three major European countries, along with France and the United Kingdom.
With the current bilateral efforts of the United States and Russia, but not related to Ukraine, it feels like a global return to strong politics.
But Germany has been MIA (poor action) on the European and world stages. The vicious internal quarrel weakens and distracts the outgoing government here. This angered German voters (want to urgently focus on economy and immigration) and European allies demand action on Russia, security and defense.
Meers said Germany’s top priority is to re-engage internationally.
The country is already the second largest donor to Ukrainian military aid after the United States.
Merz hopes to continue this support, but unlike France and Britain, he has been silent on the idea of ​​sending soldiers to Ukraine in support of the final ceasefire there.
However, according to Germany’s track record – it delayed the high heels at every stage of Ukrainian support, and despite this, it provided more aid than any of its European neighbors – now, a “no” and not Meaning forever “not” in any form of “reliance power” that Ukraine may take.
Currently, the Germans’ most worried soldiers are the 35,000 Americans stationed in their country, which makes them feel safe.
It is very unusual for foreign policy to become the focus of the highest voters in elections. But this weekend, in Germany, voters expressed concerns about peace in Europe and felt very unsafe after the economy and immigration.
Back in November, the German Interior Ministry said it was recruiting a list of bunkers that could provide emergency shelter for civilians.
Ukraine may be far away, but there are two reasons for the Germans to be in danger of Russia.
First, the number of military equipment sent by its country to Ukraine. On the far right, the replacement Germany (AFD), its “Germany First” slogan, ran for Berlin to leave Kiev and rebuild relations with Russia. One strategy is different from Donald Trump because the party likes to point it out.
Second, many in Germany believe that if Russia wants to truly destabilize Europe, it may be tempting to hit one of the Big Three with long-range missiles.
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France and Britain are nuclear powers. Germany is not. Even its traditional army is understaffed and inadequate (inducing stimulation from European partners), so Germany is worried that it is a soft target.
This is especially true if President Trump withdraws active soldiers and women from Germany.
He promised to greatly reduce the presence of American forces throughout Europe.
Germany’s deep sense of the country prompted Friedrich Merz to hint last week that he hoped France and Britain would form a European nuclear umbrella to replace the U.S. nuclear assurance.
The idea is easy to come up with in the campaign, but it is actually very complex – issues involving ability, commitment and control.
Reality Check: Friedrich Merz will need a lot of money to secure plans in Germany and Europe, while Germany’s economy is frustrated.
He also has to reach an agreement with his alliance partners or partners, with whom he will form the next German government as well as other European countries, such as the United Kingdom.
They may not want to have such a sharp tone of America.
This election could make Germany stronger. But are the rest of Europe ready?