The winner of the German election and the future Chancellor Friedrich Merz Late on Sunday night, he spoke in a German TV Channel ZDF’s electoral debate about the United States and NATO in a way that is completely exceptional for the German mainstream politician.
According to Merz, Europe must achieve independence from the United States, as US leadership does not seem to be of interest to Europe.
Merz also questioned whether NATO’s current form would exists in June, when the Defense League has the next summit.
In addition, Merz accused the United States of interfering with Germany in the same way as Russia involved in them.
In this story, two researchers will find out what Merz’s startling statements mean for Germany, Europe and Finland.
The crisis is deep
Merz’s statements say that Europe is really in an exceptional situation, estimates a leading researcher Niklas Helwig From the Institute of International Affairs.
“Now the global zeitenwende is running,” Helwig says.
President Donald Trump is translating the US foreign policy.
The United States converges Russia and supports Europe’s right -wing forces. It is unclear how committed it is to NATO and defending Europe.
The situation is particularly serious to Germany. Throughout the post -war, it has relied on the fact that it has a good relationship with the United States, which defends it when needed.
Merz’s own center -right Christian Democratic Party has been most eager to rely on the United States. Merz himself is known as a great US friend.
“It is very significant that this comes from the Conservative leader and future Chancellor,” Helwig says.
Merz wants to lead
According to Helwig, Merz enrolls in his comments to lead Europe’s answer to the situation.
It is too early to say if Merz succeeds here, Helwig points out. It depends on how Merz, a functioning government, can be assembled.
“This is a very challenging time for Europe, and the task is not easy,” Helwig says.
University lecturer Kimmo Elo The University of Eastern Finland estimates that Merz aims to communicate other European leaders.
– With strong speech, he strives to wake up and create the notion that it is now necessary to take quick action.
According to Elo, Merz also tries to show that Germany is ready to support a stronger Europe that can defend its own area and democracy.
“The house is already on fire”
For decades, France has been in favor of Europe to develop its own independent defense ability. French president Emmanuel Macron has called the goal a strategic autonomy.
Now Germany seems to be coming to French lines.
According to Helwig, just a few years ago, the talk of my own defense was prepared for the fact that the United States could sometimes reduce its military contribution in Europe.
Trump’s new presidential term shows that the need may come right now.
“The house is on fire, and we now have to turn off the fire,” Helwig says.
According to Kimmo Elo, Europe seems to be poorly prepared for the situation.
– Now let’s think about how to get on a moving train. It tells us that the worst of the worst scenarios was not fully entrusted, Elo says.
Is there a political will?
According to Helwig, Europe will have to answer many more questions.
Defense expenditure should be increased, but how are expenditure funded? How can Europe safeguard peace in Ukraine if the ceasefire is created? How could Europe replace US core deterrent and other military support?
According to Helwig, many goals are implemented if only political will are found. In the past, European leaders have held many meetings and declared declarations, but there have been fewer acts.
According to Elo, it is likely that the EU will end up accelerating integration, that is, integration due to a difficult situation.
So far, Finnish politicians have been cautious about talking about the crisis and its consequences.
– Getting out of the situation will cost us quite a lot, Elo says.
According to Elo, it would also be a good idea to shift the gaze from national interests to European big issues and to bring potential integration to Finland.