At the Munich Security Conference, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU called for a stronger Europe and a greater degree of independence from the United States.
During the opening ceremony on Friday he said: “No one forced us into the excessive dependence on the United States that we find ourselves in today. This immaturity was self‑inflicted. But we will leave this state behind, sooner rather than later”. Merz added that Europe should not reach this goal by withdrawing from NATO, but by establishing within the alliance a “strong, self‑sustaining European pillar”.
He also warned that the United States may soon lose its dominant position. “In the foreseeable future Beijing could meet the United States on an equal military footing” he noted. According to Merz, China has set a global agenda and has laid the groundwork for it “over many years with strategic patience”.
