German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speech at the opening of the Munich Security Conference, amounted to a strategic repositioning of Germany: still anchored in NATO, but preparing for a future in which American guarantees are less reliable and Europe must carry more responsibility.
“In the era of great powers, our freedom is no longer simply guaranteed. It is under threat,” said Merz.
“The international order based on rights and rules … no longer exists in the way it once did.” Merz argued. “We Germans know a world in which might makes right would be a dark place,” he said. “Our country has gone down this path in the 20th century until the bitter and dreadful end.”
The German chancellor confirmed discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about a European nuclear deterrent.
Sources:
Chris Lunday, Politico: Germany’s Merz blasts ‘lost’ US leadership and says global order ‘no longer exists’ https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-firedrich-merz-blasts-lost-us-leadership-as-international-order-no-longer-exists/
Videos:
BR24: Merz speaks about a “program of freedom”
BR24: Questions to Chancellor Merz about Talks with Russia
DW News: German Chancellor Merz tells security conference, US is not powerful enough without NATO
