New German leader signals shift in transatlantic relations

Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, has raised eyebrows by signaling a seismic shift in the country’s foreign policy, calling for Europe to bolster its own defenses and reduce dependency on the United States.

Merz, who is known for his strong Atlanticist stance, expressed concerns over the future of NATO and the US's indifference to Europe’s security, following the unsettling remarks of former US President Donald Trump, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

During a post-election debate, Merz declared: "I would never have thought that I would have to say something like this in a TV show but, after Donald Trump's remarks last week... it is clear that this government does not care much about the fate of Europe," Friedrich Merz said during a post-election debate on February 23.

Merz’s comments mark a stark departure from Germany’s traditional reliance on the US for security guarantees, which have been in place since the end of World War II. The incoming Chancellor emphasized the urgency of strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities, stating, "My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA."

He raised questions about NATO’s future, suggesting that the upcoming summit in June might address the possibility of Europe developing its own independent defense capacity. "I am not sure on whether the transatlantic alliance leaders gathering for a summit in June would still be talking about NATO in its current form or whether we will have to establish an independent European defence capability much more quickly," Merz noted.

In a bold comparison, Merz put the US, under Donald Trump’s influence, on par with Russia, a country widely viewed as a security threat to Europe. "We are under such massive pressure from two sides that my absolute priority now really is to create unity in Europe," he said.

Merz’s comments come amid Germany’s growing frustration over its diminished global role and internal political strife. As Germany seeks to re-engage internationally, Merz prioritizes military support for Ukraine, although he remains cautious about committing troops to the conflict.

Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) won 28.5 per cent of the vote in general election, securing a clear lead over other parties but falling short of an absolute majority in parliament needed to govern alone.

According to media reports, while informal discussions have begun between top party officials to form a coalition government before the Easter holiday (April 20-21), formal exploratory talks were not expected to start before March 6, partly due to regional elections in the northern state of Hamburg this weekend.

Despite receiving only 16.4 per cent of votes—their lowest share in history—the Social Democrats emerged as a potential coalition partner for the Christian Democrats to secure a parliamentary majority. Together, they would command 328 seats in the Bundestag—well above the 316 deputies needed for a majority.

By Vafa Guliyeva