Merz pledges to restore Germany's global trust, boost defence
Friedrich Merz, the German Christian Democratic Union's candidate for Chancellor of Germany ahead of the February parliamentary elections, promises to rebuild trust in Berlin's international relations.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is regarded as the favourite in the early parliamentary elections in Germany, scheduled for February 23. The leader of the Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, will be the main candidate for Chancellor.
In his latest speech in Berlin, he emphasized that when he leads the new government, he will strive to rebuild trust among allies. "Wavering, delaying, and hesitation have replaced clarity of action and the feeling that we Germans can be trusted," Merz stated.
Merz: Germany will continue deportations of immigrants
Merz plans a new security strategy, focusing on restoring Germany's defensive capabilities. He emphasized that "strength deters aggressors, and weakness encourages them." "I want Germany and Europe to be strong, with strong armed forces, strong civil defence, and solid infrastructure," Merz said.
At the same time, he supported the continuation of current actions—he supports further border controls with all neighbouring countries and mass deportations of migrants. "They must occur daily. Their number must finally increase, be greater than the number of arriving illegal immigrants. This is the only way to finally get the problem under control," Merz conveyed.
Merz referred to global threats, including the war in Ukraine and Russia's ambitions. "Putin has shifted his country to a wartime economy and continues to arm," he assessed. He pointed out China's ambitions towards "unification" with Taiwan as one of the most dangerous threats to global security.
"Germany and Europe must continue to support Ukraine. But we must not become a party to the war. Peace in Ukraine cannot become an imposed peace. Ukraine must win the war. Russia must not be given the chance to continue this war," added Merz.
