Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a strengthened commitment to the concept of “Justice” in his government statement concerning the upcoming EU summit. Speaking in the Bundestag on Wednesday, he acknowledged the difficulty in achieving equitable conditions, stating, “It is arduous to establish just circumstances.” He noted that Germany is currently undergoing epochal changes amid crises and wars that are, in part, outside of their sphere of influence. Merz emphasized that for the years ahead, both “the pillar of security and the pillar of justice” are not “fully sustainable” in Germany. He stressed that anyone who denies this reality or attempts only selectively to acknowledge it is simply refusing to face the truth.
According to Merz, the federal government has recently developed a comprehensive “Justice Program.” This program incorporates several reform initiatives, including updates to pensions and care provisions, changes to the labor market, improved pricing and tax competitiveness for the economy, and measures for state modernization and bureaucratic downsizing. However, Merz clarified that justice does not equate to expropriation. Similarly, he insisted that it must not be interpreted as redistribution that penalizes those who contribute and perform. For him, justice refers to “equality of opportunity.” The Chancellor concluded that only such a policy model can guarantee long-term prosperity, freedom, and peace.
