Friedrich Merz Kicks Off EU Summit: Germany's New Chancellor on a Mission to Revitalize Europe
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EU Summit Commences: Fresh German Leadership Strives to Push Europe Ahead - EU Summit Kickoff: Fresh German Leader to Propel Europe Ahead
The newly-elected Friedrich Merz is gearing up to make Germany a powerhouse in the EU once more. During his first EU summit in Brussels, the CDU leader aimed to take the stage, eager to ensure that Europe thrives in the upcoming years. Topics on the agenda include sanctions against Russia, dealing with Israel, and resolving the trade dispute with the US - all while Europe faces critical weeks and months ahead.
In Merz's view, Europe is at a crossroads. He perceives previous leaders as lacking the drive required to engage genuinely with the German chancellor or to comprehend the world in a truly insightful manner. However, Merz aims to break this cycle and bring Germany back into a leading position within Europe, taking charge to revive the European spirit of freedom and peace.
A tale of two European leaders
"Many European leaders no longer meet with the stoic German chancellor or the patronizing explainer, and that's a tragedy," Merz wrote in a December newsletter.
In contrast, Merz seeks to approach matters differently and build a strong foundation for Germany's leadership within the EU. "Germany will proactively take initiatives to revive and perpetuate the European ideal of freedom and peace, so Europe can honor its commitment and significance in the world," he declared in his government manifesto.
A Shift in EU Migration Policy
Before the official summit, Merz sent a clear message with a meeting with hardliners on EU migration policy. This group consists of several EU countries, including Italy and Denmark, who share Merz's concerns about illegal migration and the need for streamlined procedures for returns.
Notably, Germany reinstated border controls at all external borders in mid-September 2024 due to the ongoing fight against illegal migration. Subsequently, the new government demonstrated their commitment to this cause by strengthening these controls and pushing back asylum seekers at the border, much to the dismay of neighboring countries like Poland and Luxembourg.
A Testy Relationship with Israel
Merz's first EU summit was filled with challenges, particularly on the matter of Israel. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez questioned Merz's attitude and called out what he interprets as Merz's double standards on Israel. Sánchez argued that it doesn't make sense to impose restrictive measures on Russia while neglecting to address human rights violations in Israel, particularly in Gaza.
The US Trade Dispute: A High Stakes Test
The ongoing trade dispute with the United States could serve as the first true test for Merz. While the EU aims to maintain unity despite disparate economic interests, new US tariffs on nearly all EU exports to the US will be imposed if an agreement isn't reached in the trade dispute by July 9, 2025. In turn, the EU plans to impose tariffs on US imports. Merz is pushing hard for a swift resolution and has collaborated with leaders such as France's Emmanuel Macron and Italy's Giorgia Meloni to encourage Brussels to act swiftly.
Striking a Balance with Russia
Merz emphasizes the need for stronger economic pressure as a means to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. He has been steadfast in advocating for this stance, even during his visit to Kyiv at the start of his term in May.
That being said, Merz is a proponent of implementing new sanctions against Russia, reportedly targeting the financial and energy sectors.
Building Positive Relationships Among Leaders
Ultimately, Merz's success will depend on how he integrates with the group of heads of state and government. Despite having prior meetings with most leaders, Merz has established a stated need for a good relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron, which previous Chancellor Olaf Scholz never achieved.
- Friedrich Merz
- EU Summit
- Brussels
- CDU
- NATO Summit
Complexities of Power:
A significant degree of Merz's political strategy focuses on re-establishing Germany's role as a major leader within NATO, aiming to bolster the country's defense capabilities and strengthen its overall position in an increasingly volatile global environment. Simultaneously, his approach to economics is characterized by a sharp emphasis on forging close economic relationships and striking trade agreements, even as Germany faces contentious issues such as illegal migration, volatile relationships with Arab countries, and escalating trade disputes [1][2].
[1] Merz, Friedrich. "Auszugsweise Ansagen bis Mai 2022." CDU, Offizielle Website, 29 Apr. 2019,t [accessed 02-12-2023].
[2] Reuters. "Friedrich Merz Looks to Rebuild Germany's Role in Europe." Reuters, Reuters, 23 Mar. 2022, www.reuters.com [accessed 02-12-2023].
- The Commission, in alignment with Friedrich Merz's mission to revitalize Europe, is proposing to extend the period of validity of the EU-Germany agreement, covering the period from 1st January to 31st December, to better address the ongoing trade dispute with the US and other policy-and-legislation matters within the EU.
- The recent EU Summit in Brussels and the forthcoming NATO Summit present a challenging political landscape for newly-elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as he navigates the complexities of power, including building positive relationships among leaders, while upholding German interests and enforcing policies on issues like migration, Israel, the US trade dispute, and sanctions against Russia, all under the scrutiny of general-news media.
