Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen

Germany’s election winner vows 'independence' from US: FT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Financial Times
  • 24 Feb 2025 14:37
6 Min Read

Friedrich Merz stresses that the Trump administration shows little concern for Europe’s future.

Listen
  • x
  •  The top candidate for Chancellor, Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), right, and Bavaria Governor Markus Soeder wave to supporters at a party event in Brilon, Germany, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP)
    The top candidate for Chancellor, Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), right, and Bavaria Governor Markus Soeder wave to supporters at a party event in Brilon, Germany, on January 19, 2025. (AP)

Germany’s Friedrich Merz has vowed to act swiftly to unite Europe and push for "independence" from the United States after his center-right bloc emerged victorious in the federal elections, The Financial Times reported.

In a vote that saw Germany shift to the right, Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) secured 28.5% on Sunday, requiring at least one coalition partner to form a working parliamentary majority.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made historic gains, doubling its share to around 21%—its highest-ever result, as per the report. Meanwhile, the liberal Free Democrats and the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) failed to meet the threshold to enter the Bundestag, effectively strengthening the influence of larger parties.

Merz now has the possibility of forming a two-party coalition with outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), though with only a slim majority. However, the strong performances of both the AfD and the left-wing Die Linke could constrain his ability to push through key investments, including boosting defense spending.

Just hours after the polls closed, Merz insisted that Germany must fundamentally rethink its security framework and reduce its long-standing dependence on Washington. He argued that President Donald Trump was "largely indifferent" to Europe’s future, underscoring the need for a shift in Germany’s strategic approach.

Merz pushes for European autonomy amid Trump’s indifference to EU security

Merz emphasized his commitment to strengthening Europe’s autonomy, stating, "I am in close contact with many prime ministers—heads of government of the EU. And it must be an absolute priority to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we actually achieve independence from the USA."

Reflecting on recent geopolitical shifts, he added, "I wouldn’t have thought I’d have to say something like that . . . But after Donald Trump’s statements, it is clear that the Americans, at least this American government, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe."

Merz stressed the urgency of forming a government swiftly, given the pressing challenges facing both Germany and the broader European continent. "The world will not wait for us," he warned.

Following the election results, markets reacted positively. The euro initially climbed by as much as 0.7% before settling 0.3% higher at $1.0484, while Germany’s benchmark DAX index saw a 0.7% gain in early Frankfurt trading.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, echoed the need for rapid political stability, telling reporters on Monday, "I hope Merz is able to form a government as fast as possible, as we really need to move on with decisions at the European level which requires German participation."

Related News

White House concerned about unfolding domestic terrorism conspiracy

Von der Leyen faces no-confidence vote for 'surrendering Europe' to US

Merz also expressed uncertainty about NATO’s future and criticized Washington’s involvement in the German election process, likening it to foreign interference. He pointed to the Trump administration’s overt engagement with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its condemnation of Germany’s mainstream parties for refusing to work with a faction that has "flirted with Nazi-era slogans, urged an end to sanctions on Russia, and called for mass deportations of migrants."

In recent weeks, Trump has unsettled European leaders by engaging directly with Russia on potential resolutions for the war in Ukraine while threatening to withdraw US security commitments from the continent. Germany remains home to the largest contingent of American troops stationed in Europe.

Trump weighed in on Germany’s election outcome on Sunday, asserting that the results demonstrated how "the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration, that has prevailed for so many years."

Merz faces a tough path ahead as Germany shifts right

Merz has limited choices and will likely have to form a coalition with the SPD, which secured just over 16% of the vote—its worst performance since 1887. However, he avoided the more complex scenario of requiring multiple coalition partners, a prospect that had concerned party strategists, as per the report.

The Greens, who were disappointed with their underwhelming result of less than 12%, failed to gain enough seats to serve as an alternative partner to the SPD.

The election outcome represents a significant shift to the right in Germany, driven in part by rising anti-immigrant sentiment.

Voter turnout surged to its highest level since German reunification in 1990, reaching 84%, according to exit poll data.

Merz will take charge of an economy that has endured two years of stagnation due to high energy prices and increasing competition from China. The CDU leader has pledged to push through reforms, reignite economic growth, and strengthen Germany’s role within Europe.

However, the strong performances of the AfD and Die Linke mean they hold enough seats to block efforts to amend the "debt brake," which restricts government borrowing. This could make it harder for Merz’s government to modernize infrastructure and significantly boost defense spending.

Holger Schmieding, an economist at Berenberg Bank, said as quoted by Financial Times that "Merz could be a chancellor with little fiscal space."

Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, celebrated her party’s surge, which saw it double its vote share from 2021—marking the largest far-right gains in Germany since World War II.

"We have led a magnificent campaign," Weidel declared, emphasizing that the AfD was open to coalition talks with the CDU/CSU to fulfill "the will of the people."

Meanwhile, Scholz acknowledged "a bitter result" for the SPD and signaled that he would likely withdraw from frontline politics.

  • United States
  • AFD
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Germany’s election
  • Ukraine war
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh: Egypt

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS