Germany: Merz' Sharpened Foreign Policy
Before the NATO summit, Chancellor Merz presented his policy to the Bundestag and emphasized German strength and reliability. 'Our international partners can rely on us', he emphasized.
Yesterday in the Bundestag, ahead of the NATO and EU summits, Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented his policy and emphasized German strength and reliability. Video, transcript and summary below from the Bundestag website. Merz is driving hard on foreign policy and so far, without much opposition
Shortly before his departure for the two-day NATO summit in The Hague and the subsequent European Council on 26-27 June 26, the Chancellor delivered a government statement on Tuesday. He commented on the situation in the Middle East and emphasized that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. Merz also addressed the war in Ukraine and accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having no interest in silencing the weapons. With a view to the meeting of EU heads of state and government, Merz said that a significant reduction in bureaucracy was necessary to increase the competitiveness of the European economy.
Merz addressing the assembly. Still from Bundestag live video.
International partners can rely on Germany
In his government statement, the Chancellor spoke of major global challenges. He emphasized that it is important to work together with partners to ‘change the new reality for the better.’ Germany can help shape how the world develops in the coming years. But this requires strength and reliability – both internally and externally, Merz said. The German government has demonstrated its ability to shape the situation internally.
So far, Merz has been successful in shaping the decisions in parliament, mainly concerning the budget, defense and foreign policy. It has even earned him the moniker Aussenkanzler, meaning ‘external’ Chancellor with regard to his focus on Germany’s role in the new international order and in the EU.
Evidence of this is the investment program for defense and infrastructure, the emergency program for the German economy implemented in record time, and the initiation of the migration turnaround. ‘And we have shown our international partners: they can rely on us. Germany is back on the European and international stage,’ he said.
‘Our raison d'état is the defense of Israel's existence’
Merz once again clarified the German government's position in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Israel has the right to defend its existence and its security. Part of the raison d'état of the mullah regime is the eradication of the State of Israel. ‘Our raison d'état is the defense of Israel's existence.’
It is also clear, he added, that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. ‘We hope today that the actions of Israel and the US in recent days will permanently deter Iran from advancing even closer to its destructive goal,’ Merz said. Not only Israel, but the entire world, is threatened by Iran's nuclear program. At the same time, the Chancellor continued, it is clear that the conflict with Iran must not plunge the entire region into war. This is the goal of the German government's diplomatic efforts.
If the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump succeeds after the decisive military strikes by the US and the Israeli army, ‘a very positive development that can make the Middle East and the entire world safer is possible.’ Merz continued, saying that it is now also time for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Putin only understands the language of strength
With regard to the war in Ukraine, the Chancellor made it clear that giving in to aggression and abandoning one's own country is not the solution to peace. ‘This is not the peace we want. This is not the peace Ukraine wants.’ True peacemaking means continuing the arduous work on the conditions for true peace.
Putin only understands the language of strength, Merz said. Therefore, peacemaking means also speaking this language. The 18th sanctions package against Russia, which is to be initiated at the European Council and focuses in particular on Russia's shadow fleet, reflects this spirit.
EU needs significantly less regulation
Against the backdrop of strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy, the Chancellor advocated for a reduction in bureaucracy. ‘We need significantly less regulation in Europe,’ he said. Even future legislation must reflect this change in mentality. He announced that he would push for this at the European Council.
He also called for a fundamental change in regulatory mentality in Germany. Structural obstacles to growth must be removed. ‘Only our economic strength gives us the creative power and negotiating strength.’ It creates the resources needed to finance security, especially social security, according to Merz.
Reactions from parties in the Bundestag debate
AfD (Right wing Alternative for Germany): We stand by Israel's side
Tino Chrupalla (AfD) stated that Germany, ‘as a more or less silent observer,’ stands on the brink of war but also in the midst of the conflicting parties. Chrupalla spoke of an unclear information situation. US President Trump, for example, had made it known that reports from American intelligence agencies on Iran were untrue. At the same time, there were reports that Iran, under attack, had been informed of US plans. All of this makes an objective assessment of the events infinitely difficult, the AfD parliamentary group leader stated.
He emphasized the right of every state to defend itself. The reference here is to international law, which faces the challenge of asserting itself in the current climate. However, any assistance provided by Germany must be carefully considered and decided upon in the Bundestag, Chrupalla demanded. ‘That is precisely why we stand by Israel and all other states with which we share common interests.’
He described discussions about coups or regime change as ‘completely out of place.’ If the Iranian people vote for a change of government, they must do so on their own. ‘We are not in a position to determine their future,’ said the AfD MP.
SPD (Social Democrats): No one can demand the right of the strongest
Matthias Miersch (SPD) assured the Chancellor of the SPD parliamentary group's support in his efforts to create stability, ‘building on what Chancellor Olaf Scholz initiated with the Zeitenwende.’ The SPD parliamentary group leader said he wanted to convey to the Chancellor three parameters that were essential for his group. First and foremost, he emphasized that in these times, ‘there is no way around diplomacy.’ Every attempt is worth it, every conversation is not in vain. Anyone who wants stability and lasting peace will never achieve anything without diplomacy.
The second important aspect is compliance with international law. There needs to be mutually agreed rules that everyone in the world adheres to, because otherwise the law of the strongest will prevail. ‘Nobody here can want that,’ Miersch said. However, it should also be noted that there are currently aggressors who are neither willing to engage in diplomacy nor adhere to legal obligations. Therefore, in addition to diplomacy and international law, the right to self-defense and defense capability are also important. However, it is important not to play off the issues of social security and defense against each other. The necessary prerequisites for this have been created by the special funds, Miersch said.
Greens: No Alternative to a Return to Diplomacy
The situation in the Middle East is opaque and difficult to predict, said Britta Haßelmann (Alliance 90/The Greens). Instead of the announced ceasefire, missiles are currently flying again. ‘A ceasefire is urgently needed to bring all parties back to the negotiating table,’ said the Green parliamentary group leader. A genuine negotiated solution through a nuclear agreement is needed. The most important goal must be for Iran and its proxies to refrain from attacks on Israel and its nuclear plans. It is clear that Iran's nuclear program is not designed for civilian use, but for the construction of a nuclear bomb. The intention to destroy Israel is a central element of Iran's policy.
Haßelmann expressed great concern about the challenges to international law. International law and the international order are central. ‘Therefore, there is no alternative to a return to diplomacy.’
While the world's attention is focused on the Middle East, Ukraine also needs further support, the Green Party MP emphasized. "We expect clear signals from the NATO summit and the European Council that support for Ukraine remains undiminished," she said.
The Left: The Five Percent Target Is Complete Madness
Sören Pellmann (The Left) spoke of attacks by Israel and the USA that violate international law. However, when foreign policy is discussed in the Bundestag, the government's response is usually rearming. At the same time, the financial flexibility of local authorities in their own state is diminishing. The Left Party parliamentary group leader called the five percent target for defense spending ‘complete madness.’ Five percent of gross domestic product is approximately €225 billion, he calculated. At the same time, however, there is no money for the annual €1.5 billion Germany Ticket, and only €2 billion for social housing. This is a completely wrong approach. ‘Stop this arms madness now,’ Pellmann demanded.
He also spoke out clearly against conscription in Germany. A year of young people's lives should be wasted ‘so that the Bundeswehr's personnel pool can be replenished.’ He made it clear that the Left Party does not want to force future generations to serve in the armed forces.
CDU/CSU (Conservatives): Only those who are strong will be taken seriously
Jens Spahn (CDU/CSU), on the other hand, said that securing peace in the Middle East, for example, cannot be achieved from a position of weakness. ‘Only those who are strong will be taken seriously,’ said the CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader. Successful diplomacy is conducted from a position of strength. This will be the focus of the NATO summit and the European Council. In these alliances, Germany is demonstrating that it wants to once again assume a stronger leadership and responsibility role.
The Chancellor, Spahn continued, has set the goal of making the Bundeswehr the largest conventional army in Europe. This will require an immense effort, ‘far beyond the measures taken so far.’ Germany is doing all of this with peaceful intentions. ‘We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we don't have to defend ourselves.’ That is the maxim, said the CDU/CSU MP. In addition to the five percent target, personnel is the Achilles' heel. Both the active troops and the reserve must grow rapidly. Therefore, the legal basis for a new military service is needed this year, Spahn said. This must also include the case where demand cannot be met with volunteers.