He advocates developing a distinct European agenda while maintaining the alliance with Washington
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on Friday of the return of “great power politics” to the international stage, insisting that Europe must understand that its own freedom is at risk due to the rise of these powers and “an international order that no longer exists.”
In his opening address at the Munich Security Conference, the German leader stated that beyond a world order that “is being destroyed,” the reality is that the international order “no longer exists,” pointing to the beginning of an era of “great power politics” that leaves behind the “unipolar” era following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the global leadership of the United States.
“The return to power politics, however, is not based solely on the rivalry between China and the United States,” he noted, pointing out that this strategy “has its own rules” and is characterized by being “swift, harsh, and often unpredictable,” as well as exploiting the dependencies of others.
In this context, Merz explained that Europe must be aware that its own freedom “is at stake” in the era of great powers. “Freedom is no longer guaranteed. We will need to show firmness and determination to defend this freedom,” he stated, adding that the continent must be ready to “embark on new beginnings, embrace change, and make sacrifices.”
“Our task as Europeans, and of course also as Germans, is to accept this new reality today. That doesn’t mean we accept it as an inevitable fate. We can shape it,” he stated, reiterating the defense of European interests and values, and opening the door to alliances with countries like Canada, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, and India, where agreements are respected and conflicts are resolved jointly.
From the podium of the conference bringing together world leaders in Bavaria, the German Chancellor emphasized that, from a European perspective, a step forward is required, one that leverages our own strengths. “In this way, we will weather the storm and preserve our freedom. We will open new doors. We will seize new opportunities,” he stressed.
DEVELOPING A SELF-DIRECTED EUROPEAN AGENDA AND NOT BREAKING WITH THE US
Although Merz acknowledged that the world is being “reconfigured” at a “faster” pace than Europeans are reacting and adapting to, he advocated for continuing to develop a separate European agenda without breaking with Washington.
“I’m not convinced when it’s sometimes automatically demanded that Europe simply write off the United States as a partner. I understand the unease that leads to such statements, and I share some of it. But even so, these statements haven’t been fully considered,” he noted.
In his view, there are “geopolitical realities in Europe” that must be taken into account, while at the same time urging that the potential of the relationship with the United States not be underestimated.
For all these reasons, the German conservative stressed that Europe needs to change its mindset and take steps in defense and economic matters to “create its own agenda.” “We are focusing on ourselves. This agenda is being developed gradually, and we are implementing it at full speed,” he stated.
Merz emphasized European solidarity at this point to jointly face the challenging new era. “Hegemonic fantasies, no. Never again will we Germans act alone,” he declared, asserting that this is the “lasting lesson” learned by the German nation throughout its history, and emphasizing that freedom is affirmed “only together with neighbors, allies, and partners.”
