Germany’s Merz calls for ‘independence’ from US after election win

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Germany’s, Friedrich Merz, has called for greater independence from the United States while casting doubt on the future of NATO. In his first speech following his party’s victory in the German elections, the conservative CDU leader also took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump, criticizing the administration's stance on Europe.  

 

Merz, who will begin coalition negotiations on Monday, spoke candidly about his vision for a more autonomous Europe, expressing frustration with Washington's involvement in the German election campaign. "For me, the absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence from the USA step by step," he declared on Sunday. He likened U.S. interference in German politics to external pressures from Russia, calling it "ultimately outrageous."  

 

His remarks come in response to statements made by Trump, whose "America First" policies have raised concerns across Europe about the stability of transatlantic relations. "I never thought I would have to say something like this on a television program. But after Donald Trump's statements last week at the latest, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe," Merz said.  

 

The conservative leader also questioned NATO’s long-term viability as Europe grapples with shifting geopolitical dynamics. “I am very curious to see how we are heading toward the NATO summit at the end of June. Whether we will still be talking about NATO in its current form or whether we will have to establish an independent European defense capability much more quickly," he stated.  

 

Merz’s rise to power comes at a challenging time for Germany, with its economy struggling, social tensions over migration intensifying, and security concerns growing amid increasing friction between the U.S., Russia, and China. The 69-year-old, who has never held public office, now faces the difficult task of forming a stable government in a fractured political landscape.  

 

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party surged to a historic second-place finish with 20.8% of the vote, while Merz’s CDU/CSU bloc secured 28.6%, making them the largest party but without an outright majority. The election also saw the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition, leaving Germany’s political future uncertain.  

 

Despite the AfD’s strong showing, mainstream parties refuse to collaborate with the party, which is under surveillance by German security services due to suspected extremism. The AfD has, however, gained endorsements from figures such as U.S. billionaire Elon Musk. As a result, Merz is likely to seek an alliance with Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), though negotiations are expected to be prolonged and contentious.  

 

Unlike previous coalition-building efforts, Merz will not need support from the Greens to secure a majority. The newly formed BSW party, led by former Left Party leader Sahra Wagenknecht, fell just short of the 5% threshold required to enter the Bundestag, slightly simplifying the CDU leader’s path to forming a government.  

 

As Germany stands at a political crossroads, Merz's calls for European self-reliance signal a potential shift in Germany’s foreign policy. His stance on NATO and relations with Washington will likely shape the country's role on the global stage for years to come.

 

Based on a report by The Independent  2025-02-25