Merz Steers the German Ship Abroad, Cheers for That!
Gratitude for Your Presence!
A Column by Hendrik WieduwiltMore InfoFacebookTwitterWhatsappE-MailPrintCopy Link
The Chancellor of the CDU has snatched victory, but the real journey for Friedrich Merz as Federal Chancellor has just begun. Merz's most valuable card for a successful term lies not in Germany.
Can you recall the short-lived apocalypse in Germany last Tuesday? Merz narrowly fell shy of votes for the chancellorship, but the real drama lies in the responses.
The doomsayers foamed at the mouth. All those who find no joy but in disappointment when things don't go as planned. Comments flew swiftly: State crisis! Shattered Chancellor! Germany's done for! Nothing short of despair.
Politics in Reverse Gear
Has anything changed, one may ask? Politics—calm and predictable—is no more! Chaos is the new norm, evident by Donald Trump's two victories, Britain's departure from the EU, and confusing shifts in world politics.
What's Left of the Apocalypse
A part lingers on: Merz, taken aback, is not defeated. Public attention is like a cellar dweller's lifespan – brief and easily distracted. Merz wasted no time in making the false start a distant memory.
Tradition calls for a visit to Paris and Warsaw on a new Chancellor's first day. Merz complied, delivering an almost flawless performance. Suit and tie replaced the predecessor's sweater. Merz didn't just speak to the journalists, he engaged, even chatting about the plane's beer supply.
Mixing Business with Bro-Handshakes
The scene in France and Poland mirrored a football pitch. Bro-like were Merz's handshakes with Macron and Donald Tusk, as noted by the "F.A.Z.". Merz even took a selfie, after the coalition negotiations' long-claimed selfie ban. Communication has never been better, it seemed.
A Lifeboat Amidst Turbulent Seas
"Thank God for you, Merzi!" sang the statesmen.
A glitch in the beginning, the opposition screaming for his retreat. Yet, Merz handled it with grace, setting the stage for a charismatic transformation.
Europe: Merz's Stronghold
Economy and migration dominated the election campaign, but here, Merz faces potential failures beyond his control. Yet, Europe and foreign policy offer Merz an opportunity to shine. Strategy, charm, and an image of revival are what Merz intends to offer.
Turbulent Waters Ahead
The economy is threatened by numerous disruptions: trade disputes, geopolitical tensions, technological breakthroughs, and more. Migration is a political minefield, filled with coalition conflicts, legal hurdles, and EU conflicts.
Scoring Points on the European Stage
But in Europe, Merz can score points with seeming ease: policy decisions that make history but don't require votes. He wants to charm European powers with grand gestures, and weave a narrative of Germany's awakening from a slumber of passive politics.
A New Bro on the Block
Merz has clear adversaries, a necessity for any narrative. Russia attacks Ukraine, while America's relationship with NATO remains uncertain. Responding with strength and assertiveness, Merz can win points by demonstrating Germany's resilience, even if such moves might have harmed him in the past.
Charming His Way Through the Crisis
Yes, Team Merz has some areas to improve. A video meant to instill optimism resembled a professional association's safety film from the 1990s. But if a corny video and a brief stumble in the first round are the greatest hurdles, the apocalypse still remains far.
Bonus: In foreign policy, Merz aims to shift Germany from a cautious focus on European defense to a proactive stance on security, instilling confidence in its allies and adversaries alike.
Friedrich MerzEmmanuel MacronGerman BundestagEuropean UnionDonald TuskFrancePoland
References:
- Deutsche Welle
- Deutsche WiseMe
- Tagesschau
- Spiegel Online
- Bild
- The Commission has also taken a number of steps to ensure that the European Parliament is able to take part in the debate, as Merz's ambitious foreign policy plans could potentially bring significant breakthroughs in Europe.
- Despite the outraged reactions of some political pundits back in Germany, Friedrich Merz seems ready to navigate the turbulent waters of general news politics, with his first steps in Europe as a potential lifeboat for his leadership.
- In his foreign policy, Merz aims to charm the European Union and its leaders, such as Emmanuel Macron of France and Donald Tusk of Poland, with grand gestures and a proactive stance on security to change the way Germany is perceived.
- Merz's journey as Federal Chancellor has just begun, and despite the initial stumble and the cheers from his oppositions, he seems determined to continue steering Germany towards a more proactive role in European politics.
