Germany has voted: what next for Europe?
After Sunday's elections to the German Bundestag, the leader of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, is widely expected to initiate coalition talks with the SPD. Together, the two parties hold a majority in the new parliament. Europe's media take a look at what this could mean for Germany's role on the continent.
New chancellor must lead between imperialists
CDU leader Merz must be a strong pro-European chancellor, stresses Handelsblatt:
“Practically everyone in the EU is just waiting for Germany to once again fulfil its political role as the world's third largest economy and lead the EU into a new era in which it can no longer rely on the US, since the big brother is now going its own, strange way. The EU must become self-assured, united and strong if it does not want to be crushed between the imperialists Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Merz will have to take a leading role to this end.”
The end of Germany's absence
La Stampa also hopes Berlin will once again increase its international presence:
“While Europe was facing its worst post-war crisis in relations with the US, the German government was falling apart. Yesterday's election marks the beginning of the end of an absence that has penalised Germany and Europe. ... Friedrich Merz will have to spearhead Europe's response to the Trump administration and keep a fractious EU united. Will he be up to the task? One can grow into the role: an initially underestimated predecessor, Helmut Kohl, was the architect of German reunification and a major player in the geopolitical upheavals of 1989-91.”
Desire for a weightier voice
Kurier also hopes that Merz will stand up to Trump:
“After the hesitation and dithering of his predecessor Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz and his coalition government, whatever form it takes, will finally have to prove to the Germans that politics is capable of making a difference. And there is also a great desire for a stronger, weightier German voice in the EU. The chancellor of Europe's largest economy certainly has the strength, if he wants and dares, to counter the actions of Trump and co. with a self-confident 'Not like this!' Otherwise the US president really will do as he pleases with a helplessly weak Europe.”
The people have other priorities
It is by no means certain that Germany will now focus all its efforts on the EU, Naftemporiki puts in:
“Merz is promising a new, pan-European style of leadership. But he's also saying 'Germany first' and following - as an 'Atlanticist' - Trump's policy. After all, only one percent of Germans see Europe as a priority. A sentiment that will only be further enhanced by the strong advance of the AfD. But as German politics moves to the right, this may accelerate the emergence of a 'two-speed Europe'. Already in Northern Europe there is much talk of a so-called 'Hanseatic League 2.0' - the formation of a group of countries with shared economic interests, lower public debt and room for investment in innovation.”
A chance for Europe's security
Political scientist Sergiy Taran expresses relief on Facebook:
“The global madness doesn't have all countries in its grip yet. Common sense remains the main trend in Europe's largest economy, which also gives hope for the future of the EU. Aid for Ukraine will at least not be cancelled. Of course we won't see German troops in Donbas, but there will be money and weapons. The main thing would be for Merz's words on European security to lead to a radical increase in the military budget and defence contracts. If that happens, Europe will have a real hope of creating - albeit slowly - an alternative to the American security system.”
Domestic problems could hinder European policy
Merz is the last chance for Germany's centrist parties, Newsweek Polska is convinced:
“Certainly, Merz is not the worst choice for Poland in terms of security policy or support for Ukraine. At the same time, it remains to be seen whether the scale of domestic political problems will not overwhelm the new government to such an extent that it will not have much time for an active European policy. All the more so given that Merz and his coalition partners know that if they fail to deliver, they may no longer be able to keep the AfD outside the 'firewall' in the next elections.”