German politician Friedrich Merz (CDU) said we are entering a new era of great‑power politics. “We live in a geo‑economic reality, but it is still more than that” he told audiences on Wednesday at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp. “It is a new geopolitical reality, and once again in our history we are stepping into an era of great‑power politics”. He asked how Europe will respond.
Merz emphasized that Europe’s economic strength must come to the forefront. “Only an economically strong Europe can be a sovereign Europe. That is the reality we live in” he said. In light of this insight, he urged Europe to take decisive action, pointing to three main areas: cutting bureaucracy, strengthening the internal market, and pursuing a free‑trade agenda for the continent.
The leader called for a comprehensive deregulation of every sector. Minor tweaks to existing laws would not suffice. “We need to systematically review all current EU legislation” Merz added.
