At a military training ground in Munster, Lower Saxony, CDU leader Friedrich Merz underlined the necessity of continually boosting investment in the German Armed Forces. Following a military demonstration on Thursday, Merz stated that Germany must be able to act as both a deterrent and a self-defense force, asserting that the country must “be capable to fight tonight”. He stressed that achieving this level of preparedness would require the greatest possible concerted effort.
Turning to international relations, Merz appeared to signal a desire to mend ties with Washington, acknowledging previous tensions following remarks made by US President Donald Trump. Regarding the Middle East, the CDU leader emphasized that the nuclear program in Iran must be eliminated. This follows Merz’s earlier remarks, during which he had questioned the strategic planning of the United States concerning the Iran conflict, a backdrop that preceded Trump accusing the German politician of having “no idea” and threatening troop withdrawals from Germany.
Despite the previous disagreements, Merz concluded that Germany maintains close and trusting contact with its allies, particularly with partners in Washington. Furthermore, he stated that Germany is prepared to commit militarily to the Gulf region, provided the necessary prerequisites are met, with the aim of securing freedom of sea routes.
