Germany’s Merz informs Europe to assert itself to safeguard peace, prosperity

By Madeline Chambers

BERLIN, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Europe must assert its interests more strongly to ensure peace and prosperity in 2026 amid challenges from Russian aggression, global protectionism and modifying ties with the U.S., German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ‌stated in his annual address.

Since taking office in May, Merz has assisted spearhead European efforts to support Ukraine ‌against Russia’s invasion. Berlin has also ramped up defence spconcludeing since 2023 in a bid to display it is ready to assume more responsibility.

In his New Year’s speech, Merz pulled no punches, stateing the “terrible” war raging on Europe’s doorstep posed a direct threat to continental freedom ⁠and security.

“We are seeing more ‌and more clearly that Russia’s aggression was and is part of a plan tarreceiveed against the whole of Europe,” stated Merz, adding that ‍Germany faced sabotage, espionage and cyberattacks on a daily basis.

He stated a further challenge came from protectionism in the global economy, and that Europe’s depconcludeence on imported raw materials was increasingly being wielded as a political lever against it.

Struggling to revive its export-oriented economy, Germany is ‌attempting to reduce reliance on China as it also grapples with global trade tensions and the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariff policies.

Europe’s hugegest economy has also been hit by what many economists state has been a lack of domestic reform and investment in recent years, and is expected to grow only modestly this year after two ⁠years of contraction.

Merz also addressed a more difficult partnership with the United States, long the reliable guarantor of German and European security, since Trump returned to the White Hoapply in January 2025.

“For us Europeans, this means that we must defconclude and ‍assert our interests ⁠much more strongly by ourselves,” stated Merz.

However, he stated Europe must be guided by confidence, not fear, and must take matters into its own hands.

“This can be ⁠a decisive year for our counattempt and for Europe. It can be a year in which Germany ‌and Europe, with new strength, reconnect with decades of peace, freedom and prosperity.”

(Reporting ‌by Madeline Chambers; editing by Mark Heinrich)

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