Friedrich Merz, Germany’s next chancellor, has warned that Europe could face collapse if Donald Trump pulls the U.S. away from its traditional alliances.
Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), made the remarks in a February 24 press conference in Berlin, cautioning that Europe must act quickly to strengthen its defense capabilities as the Trump administration prioritizes its “America First” agenda.
“Europe is five minutes to midnight,” Merz said, referring to the worst-case scenario for transatlantic relations, where Washington and Europe no longer share common values or strategic interests.
Germany Prepares for a Shift in U.S.-Europe Relations
Merz emphasized that his top foreign policy focus will be navigating Europe’s increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape, particularly with the ongoing war in Ukraine. While he hopes to maintain strong ties with the U.S., he warned that Germany must prepare for all possible outcomes.
"If the transatlantic alliance collapses, it won’t just be Europe that falls—it will be the U.S. as well," Merz stated. "All signals from Washington suggest that interest in Europe is fading. If the U.S. moves not just toward ‘America First’ but toward ‘America Alone,’ we will be in a very difficult position."
Germany has traditionally opposed France’s calls for greater European defense autonomy, relying instead on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for security. However, Merz suggested that Berlin may now need to rethink its approach.
"After Washington’s recent statements, it is clear that we Europeans must urgently strengthen our ability to defend ourselves," he said.
U.S. Political Influence in German Elections
Merz also criticized U.S. interference in Germany’s recent elections, pointing to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a close Trump ally, who publicly congratulated the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) after the party secured 20% of the vote, finishing second.
Musk suggested that AfD taking power in Germany was "only a matter of time", further fueling controversy.
AfD won a landslide victory in eastern Germany, securing 43 out of 48 parliamentary seats, largely due to its anti-immigration, anti-Islam, and nationalist policies.
AfD leader Alice Weidel called the result "historic", accusing Merz of "blocking democracy" by refusing to form a coalition with AfD and ignoring millions of voters.
Germany’s New Coalition and Support for Ukraine
Merz’s CDU is now preparing to form a coalition government with the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
His first social media post after winning the election was directed at Kyiv, marking three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"Europe stands firmly with Ukraine. Our top priority is to ensure Ukraine enters any peace negotiations from a position of strength," Merz wrote on X, stressing that "a just peace can only be secured if the attacked nation is at the negotiating table."
Facing Challenges from Moscow and Washington
During his February 24 press conference, Merz urged European unity in the face of geopolitical challenges, not only from Moscow but also from Washington.
While he expressed hope that the U.S. would recognize its national interests remain tied to Europe, he also made it clear that Europe will not accept any Ukraine deal that excludes Kyiv and EU leaders.
"America can negotiate whatever it wants with Russia, but if the deal concerns Ukraine and Europe, then Ukraine and Europe must be part of it," Merz declared.
(Sources: AP, Reuters, The Guardian)
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