Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s mainstream conservatives, has said that Europe must become independent from the United States in security matters, after his grouping won the biggest share of the vote in federal elections.
Merz, the likely next chancellor of Germany, has warned that Europe can no longer count on the U.S., which he said had become “largely indifferent” to the continent’s fate.
His comments follow the success of the CDU/CSU grouping Merz leads getting 28.5 percent of the vote in Sunday’s election, which also saw the surge of the far-right party AfD to second place, with 20.8 percent.
A U.S. Department of State spokesperson told Newsweek that it had noted Merz’s comments and that the U.S. expected European countries to step up with defense spending “to alleviate the burden on the United States.”
Why It Matters
Merz has spent much of his professional career as a lawyer working with American firms and is a considered a very pro-U. S. politician.
His comments questioning U.S. commitment to Europe represent a considerable shift in relations between the continent and Washington. They show how much the Trump administration has shaken ties between the U.S. and Europe, which has depended on American security guarantees since 1945.
What To Know
After provisional results came in, Merz told German television on Sunday that the Trump administration did not care about Europe.
The U.S. leader and his team branded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator,” unilaterally opened unconditional “peace” talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and said that U.S. troops may remain in Europe for much longer.
Merz said he never believed he would say a U.S. administration could be indifferent to what happens to Europe and, as such, he would work quickly to strengthen the continent quickly and seek security independence from Washington.
He added that he did not know whether NATO could exist in its current guise or whether an independent European defense capability would have to be established quickly.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement that every NATO ally must shoulder its fair share of the burden and responsibility for collective defense and increase defense spending to five percent of GDP, which will lead to greater security and stability for all NATO allies.
“We are pleased to see Germany step up and contribute more to ensure the security of Europe,” the statement added.
In comments to Newsweek, Carol Schaeffer, senior fellow from the Atlantic Council, said that, under Merz, the Trump administration can expect a stubbornly pro-European Germany that will not take any perceived U.S. bullying lightly.
Rachel Rizzo, from the same think tank, said that some loud criticism from Trump and his team toward the Germans for keeping the AfD out of a coalition government is to be expected.
The AfD was endorsed by tech billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk. The party won 152 out of the 630 seats in the parliament (Bundestag) and was criticized by Merz for interference in the ballot.
Merz’s conservatives won 208 seats, while the three parties in the former governing coalition lost seats, with the SDP falling to 120 seats and the Greens to 85.
What People Are Saying
CDU/CSU leader Friedrich Merz: “My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA.
“After Donald Trump’s statements, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.”
U.S. State Department statement to Newsweek: “We have seen the comments from Chancellor-elect Merz.
“Europeans have a vested interest in securing peace on their continent. We expect them to step up with defense spending and alleviate the burden on the United States, and to fully divest themselves of economic and energy ties to countries threatening European and American security.”
Carol Schaeffer, senior fellow from the Atlantic Council, told Newsweek: “Trump and his team should expect a stubbornly pro-European Germany that will not take any perceived U.S. bullying lightly … Trump and his team should be advised to proceed carefully, though that is not exactly their preferred style.”
What Happens Next
Merz’s first task would be to put together a stable governing coalition, which he has to do within eight weeks. While the AfD got more than one-fifth of the vote, a long-standing rejection of working with the far right, known as a “firewall,” leaves the Social Democrats as the most-likely partner.
Regarding ties with Washington, Merz said on Sunday he had some “residual” hope that the U.S. Congress and the White House would not cut Ukraine out of any peace negotiations with Russia.