Is germany Stepping Up? A Look at Chancellor MerzS First 100 Days on the World Stage
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By Lucas Fernandez, world-Today-News.com – May 15, 2024
BERLIN – For years, europe has looked to Germany for leadership, often finding itself waiting. But a shift may be underway. Following a surprisingly unified european response to recent U.S.-Russia tensions – largely orchestrated by Berlin – questions are mounting about whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz is finally delivering on promises of a more assertive Germany on the international stage.
The backdrop is critical. The recent meeting between U.S. President Donald trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska served as an unexpected catalyst. Prior to the summit, Chancellor Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a crucial emergency meeting, and then galvanized fellow European leaders to align on priorities ahead of a call with Trump. This coordinated effort, a rarity in recent years, suggests a new willingness from Berlin to take the reins.
But is this a fleeting moment of unity, or a genuine turning point? More than 100 days into Merz’s coalition government, a closer examination of policy shifts reveals a deliberate strategy to reshape Germany’s role in European security.
A “Foreign Policy Cast From a Single Mould”
Merz’s core ambition appears to be a cohesive and unified foreign policy - a “foreign policy cast from a single mould,” as he described it. A key move to achieve this was appointing party colleague Johann Wadephul as Foreign Minister,the first time since 1966 the Chancellor and Foreign Minister have come from the same party. Wadephul, in turn, has brought in seasoned experts on both Russia and NATO.
Crucially, the appointment of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius – a Social Democrat largely aligned with Merz’s agenda – signals a broader attempt at cross-party consensus.The government has also finally established a national security council, bringing Germany in line with established practices in France, the UK, and the US – a move long debated but previously stalled.
this institutional groundwork is being coupled with a critically important shift in the national conversation surrounding defense.The suspension of mandatory military conscription in 2011 is now being re-evaluated, with discussions re-opened about its potential return. While the government ultimately opted for expanding voluntary recruitment, the very debate demonstrates a willingness to confront long-held assumptions.
Furthermore, Merz is pushing to expand Germany’s troop strength to 260,000 – a goal largely welcomed across the political spectrum. Perhaps most visibly, Germany has followed through on commitments to station a permanent bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania, bolstering NATO’s Eastern flank and demonstrating a clear commitment to deterring Russian aggression.
Breaking with Fiscal Tradition
Perhaps the most striking change is Merz’s willingness to challenge Germany’s traditionally stringent fiscal policies. Within days of taking office, he pursued an amendment to the constitutional ”debt brake,” exempting defense-related expenditure exceeding one percent of GDP. This represents a significant departure from years of austerity and signals a clear prioritization of security concerns.
The Bottom Line: While it’s still early days, Chancellor Merz appears to be translating campaign rhetoric into concrete action. The first 100 days suggest a Germany more willing to lead, to invest in its defense capabilities, and to forge a unified front on the European stage. Whether this represents a lasting change remains to be seen, but the initial signs are undeniably promising.
Keywords: Germany, Friedrich Merz, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Ukraine, European Security, NATO, Defense Spending, Foreign Policy, National Security Council, Russia, Debt Brake, Military conscription.