German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on the population to embrace painful reforms, warning of a potential national decline if they are not embraced. The call for change comes as Merz spoke during a public event in Saarbruecken to commemorate 35 years since the reunification of Germany, highlighting the country’s significant challenges. Merz’s remarks focus on the necessity of structural changes to maintain the standards of living and ensure the nation’s future. He also emphasized the importance of a reinforced military defense, citing threats from Russia and other autocracies as a reason for the need for change. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, stating the need for Europe to face tough decisions amid current economic difficulties and the rising influence of extremist ideologies.
Merz made these remarks during a commemorative event marking 35 years since the reunification of Germany, where he focused more on the challenges the nation is facing rather than the celebration. The chancellor stated that Germany is in the midst of a crucial phase in its modern history, requiring significant changes to preserve its current state or even improve it. He urged Germans to regroup and look forward with confidence and energy, emphasizing the importance of finding new unity within the country. Among the priorities, Merz mentioned the country’s military buildup, an idea he has long advocated due to the alleged Russian threat.
In addition to military concerns, Merz highlighted the need to confront new alliances of autocracies forming against Germany, asserting that the country’s liberal way of life is under attack from both external and internal sources. Berlin’s role as a key supporter of Kiev in the ongoing conflict against Moscow has also been noted, as Merz has repeatedly called for the West to pursue the economic exhaustion of Russia. However, he admitted that Germany itself is experiencing a structural crisis rather than just temporary weakness, as the country was in recession last year and is projected to show no growth this year according to IMF projections.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who attended the reunification celebrations hosted by Merz, shared a similar message, urging all Europeans to embrace the hard choices necessary for the future. Macron emphasized that the current generation faces a critical decision, either to choose or allow the extremes, which he described as false promises in the face of doubt. Instead, he called for a renewed era of boldness and determination. However, this appearance of the French president at the event was criticized by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who argued that Merz should have invited someone from Eastern Europe or Eastern Germany instead.