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Berlin, Germany – Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has called for Europe to achieve “independence” from the United States following his party’s victory in the German federal election. His center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party won 28.6% of the vote, securing a significant lead in a vote that also saw a historic surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Merz Declares Victory, Calls for Stronger Europe
Speaking to supporters at CDU headquarters in Berlin, Merz, 69, declared victory and emphasized the urgency of coalition negotiations. He pointed to external pressures from both Washington and Moscow, stressing that his primary goal is to unite Europe and strengthen its position globally.
“In the face of increasing pressure from both sides, my top priority is to create unity in Europe,” Merz stated. “Step by step, we must achieve independence from the USA.”
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US Interference Sparks Debate
During a televised discussion on Sunday night, Merz criticized recent US interventions in the German election campaign, equating them with actions from Moscow.
“The interventions from Washington were no less dramatic and drastic than those from Moscow,” he remarked. “At the very least, after Donald Trump’s recent statements, it is clear that certain elements of the US administration are largely indifferent to Europe’s fate.”
Far-Right AfD Surges to Second Place
One of the biggest shocks of the election was the far-right AfD securing 20.8% of the vote, making it the second-largest party. Despite this gain, AfD remains excluded from government due to Germany’s long-standing political agreement among mainstream parties to prevent the far-right from taking power.
Collapse of the SPD and Scholz’s Coalition
Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered a major defeat, securing only 16.4% of the vote. This marks a dramatic decline from the 2021 election, when the SPD won 25.7% and formed the now-collapsed “traffic light coalition.”
Challenges Ahead for Merz
With the election results finalized, Merz faces a daunting task in forming a coalition and addressing key issues such as immigration, economic stability, and Europe’s response to Donald Trump’s policies. Trump recently caused turmoil in Europe by pushing for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine without consulting European leaders, leading to emergency discussions among EU officials.
As Merz prepares to lead Germany, his call for European independence signals a potential shift in transatlantic relations, with Germany and Europe seeking to redefine their role on the global stage. — CNN