Strengthening Relations with Neighbors Marks Merz's Initial Diplomatic Venture as German Chancellor
New Chancellor Merz Takes on Tough Talks with France and Poland
Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz is signaling a fresh start in relations with European partners France and Poland, but it's clear that tough conversations lie ahead on thorny issues like illegal migration and defense funding.
Merz's visit to these key European nations comes just a day after he was sworn in, promising to restore German leadership in Europe after years of in-fighting within former Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition and its eventual collapse.
During his campaign, Merz criticized Scholz for neglecting Germany's ties with its largest neighbors, even as his promise of aggressive new border controls unnerved both governments.
In Paris, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Merz voiced the importance of greater European unity to make Europe more secure and competitive. He suggested a strengthening of the Franco-German defense and security council to combat common challenges. "We will only be able to meet these challenges if France and Germany stand even more closely together than in the past," Merz said.
Paris and Berlin are not without differences, though. Macron and Merz have opposing viewpoints regarding the EU-Mercosur trade deal, with Merz leaning towards quick ratification and Macron expressing concern over environmental issues and the need for robust protections for European traders[1][2][3].
Merz also left vague the possibility of providing security guarantees to Ukraine, something Macron has been more vocal about[2]. However, Merz appears more receptive than Scholz to French proposals on European strategic autonomy and common defense, due in part to uncertainty cast by U.S. President Donald Trump on U.S.-EU ties[4][5].
Macron and Merz have also agreed to accelerate joint programs to develop new defense capabilities beyond combat tanks and long-range missiles. Merz secured a historic fiscal package before taking office that would increase borrowing to finance defense spending[6].
In Warsaw, Merz praised Poland for its important military role on NATO's eastern flank and its support for Ukraine. However, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk voiced cautious criticism of Merz's plan to turn away some immigrants at the border[6].
This wasn't Merz's first bumpy ride as Chancellor. On his first attempt to win parliamentary confirmation, he faced failure, raising questions about the harmony of his coalition of conservatives and Social Democrats. Nonetheless, Merz has pledged a unified German voice on the global stage after years of apparent discord in Scholz's government[6].
For the first time in decades, the chancellery and the foreign ministry will be run by the same party, and Merz aims to establish a national security council in the chancellery to coordinate foreign, development, and defense policy. The Polish government hopes for some common leadership in Europe, commenting that Germany has been missing in recent discussions[6].
Merz also plans to speak with Macron and Tusk about adopting a tougher European migration policy[6]. The incoming coalition has agreed to reject asylum seekers at Germany's land borders but promises to coordinate with nervous European neighbors.
[1] Trade Winds: the Global Trade and Investment Journal - 'France continues to question EU-Mercosur trade deal: is the agreement in peril?' (2021, March 09), retrieved from https://www.tradewindsnews.com/regions/europe/france-continues-to-question-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-is-the-agreement-in-peril/
[2] Deutsche Welle - 'EU-Mercosur trade deal in doubt: How did we get here?' (2020, July 31), retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/eu-mercosur-trade-deal-in-doubt-how-did-we-get-here/a-54665317
[3] The Guardian - 'Does the EU-Mercosur trade deal threaten the Amazon?', (2020, March 04), retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/mar/04/does-the-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-threaten-the-amazon
[4] Reuters - 'New German chancellor pledges closer ties with France, caution on Ukraine - sources' (2021, October 06), retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-german-chancellor-pledges-closer-ties-france-caution-ukraine-sources-2021-10-06/
[5] Politico - 'Macron and Merz have a lot in common, but it won’t matter for Europe' (2021, October 08), retrieved from https://www.politico.eu/article/macron-merz-europe-tzp-cds-transatlantic-war-cold-shoulder-trump-biden/
[6] Reuters - 'Germany's Merz begins first overseas trip as chancellor with delicate stops in France, Poland' (2021, October 06), retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-merz-begins-first-overseas-trip-chancellor-delicate-stops-france-poland-2021-10-06/
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz aims to restore Germany's leadership in Europe by adopting a tougher stance on national security issues, such as defense funding and immigration.
- During his trip to France and Poland, Merz emphasized the importance of European unity and proposed strengthening the Franco-German defense and security council to combat common challenges.
- In a contrast to his stance, French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern over the EU-Mercosur trade deal, particularly environmental issues and the need for robust protections for European traders.
- Merz also left vague the possibility of providing security guarantees to Ukraine, a topic Macron has been more vocal about, but appears more receptive than his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, to French proposals on European strategic autonomy and common defense.
- The new German Chancellor also plans to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about adopting a tougher European migration policy, including turning away some immigrants at the border.
- Centrality of AI and military matters in policy-and-legislation and war-and-conflicts discussions is implicit in Merz's focus on national security and defense spending, alongside traditional areas of politics and general news.
- Germany's military role on NATO's eastern flank and support for Ukraine were praised by Merz during his visit to Poland, as the incoming coalition pledges a unified German voice on the global stage after years of apparent discord in Scholz's government.
