Friedrich Merz, the winner of Germany’s election, has cautioned the United States against abandoning its allies while simultaneously urging Europeans to strengthen their own defense capabilities, stating that it is now “five minutes to midnight for Europe”.
His remarks highlight the unrest affecting the transatlantic alliance following the re-election of US President Donald Trump, amid concerns that he might negotiate a deal with Russia regarding Ukraine while Kyiv and the rest of Europe watch from the sidelines.
Mr. Merz’s conservative party aims to swiftly establish a government after winning the national election, but they face challenging coalition discussions and the possibility of a difficult parliament as far-right and far-left parties have gained momentum.
Time is running out for Europe’s largest economy, which is struggling.
“What we observe with great concern is the attempt (by Mr. Trump) to broker a deal with Russia regarding Ukraine without involving Europeans or Ukraine,” Mr. Merz explained during a press conference.
“It should come as no surprise that this is unacceptable for both Ukraine and Europe,” Mr. Merz added, emphasizing that it would be troubling if those advocating for an “America First” policy started to adopt “America Alone” as their motto.
Alice Weidel’s AfD party achieved second place in the German election.
His conservative bloc seeks to partner with Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), who finished third after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a historic second place.
Nevertheless, Mr. Merz’s pursuit of an alliance with the SPD follows a contentious campaign that revealed significant policy rifts, especially concerning migration.
The SPD, still reeling from its worst results since World War II, may demand substantial concessions for any agreement.
The AfD and the radical Left Party combined now hold one-third of the seats in the new parliament, enough to block constitutional amendments needed to relax state borrowing limits—changes that some economists argue are essential for revitalizing the ailing economy.
Distribution of seats by party in the German parliament following the election, according to provisional results as of 24 February.
Debt brake
Mr. Merz stated he is in discussions with other parties to reform the debt brake, which limits borrowing, even prior to the official swearing-in of the new parliament. He will also consult allies about establishing another special off-budget fund to increase defense spending.
However, the resurgent Left Party and the AfD may possess a blocking minority in parliament that could hinder any necessary increase in defense spending to bolster European security.
The Left Party has expressed a desire for increased borrowing, though their support is contingent upon the funds not being allocated for rearmament. Both the AfD and the Left oppose military support for Ukraine.
“Friedrich Merz must prepare himself now,” stated Left co-leader Jan van Aken.
Previously regarded as an Atlanticist, Mr. Merz once more questioned the dependability of the US as an ally, remarking: “This really is five minutes to midnight for Europe.”
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Just yesterday, Mr. Merz criticized what he termed “outrageous” comments made by the Trump administration during the election campaign, likening them to hostile interference from Moscow.
He also cautioned Washington against creating divisions by offering preferential tariffs to specific European Union nations.
In a daring move, Mr. Merz extended an invitation to Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Germany, in defiance of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Read more: Germany’s colour-coded politics
Mr. Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU bloc emerged victorious in the election with 28.5% – their second-worst result in the post-war period – while the AfD garnered 20.8%, marking its best-ever performance according to provisional results.
However, mainstream parties have ruled out alliances with the AfD, a party under surveillance by German security services due to suspicions of extremism, although it has received support from US figures, including billionaire Elon Musk.
Tough talks ahead
Mr. Merz, who lacks prior government experience, aims to establish a government by Easter, despite warnings from the SPD that their support is uncertain.
During the election campaign, Mr. Merz promised a stringent crackdown on immigration, vowing not to compromise on this issue.
He faced significant criticism from the SPD for proposing a parliamentary resolution on migration last month with backing from the AfD.
This move was seen by critics as a serious breach of the political isolation designed to keep the AfD out of power. SPD politicians indicated that they could no longer place their trust in Mr. Merz.
Analysts suggest that there is considerable pressure on the next coalition to form swiftly in order to effectively counter the Trump administration and demonstrate to voters that mainstream parties can address their concerns, thus staving off the AfD.
Should they fail, the 12-year-old AfD, now positioned as the largest opposition party in the Bundestag, could emerge as a frontrunner in the next elections scheduled for 2029.
Mr. Musk reaffirmed his allegiance to the party, predicting on X that the AfD “will be the majority party by the next election”.
