Merz: The rules-based international order no longer exists
The old international rules-based order no longer exists, Merz said at the Munich Conference. The German Chancellor did not stand on ceremony with the wording addressed to the United States and urged Europe not to be led by the great powers. However, such loud words only made the Germans laugh.
Robert Tannenberg, Friedrich Steffes-lay, Nicholas Walter
"We are not at the mercy of this world": In his long-awaited speech at the Munich Security Conference, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with great pathos and at the same time chose very direct formulations addressed to Washington.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned of a threat to universal freedom in a world increasingly defined by the competition of great powers. "In the age of great powers, our freedom is no longer taken for granted. It is under threat. It will take firmness and willpower to defend this freedom. This will require us to be ready for change and, yes, even for sacrifice. And not ever, but right now," Merz said, opening the Munich Security Conference.
According to him, the world has crossed the threshold of a new era, a time that is openly shaped by the power and politics of great powers. "Russian revisionism is just the most visible manifestation of what we see every day." China, the Chancellor stressed, is asserting its claims to global dominance. In the foreseeable future, China may face the United States militarily on equal terms. "The US claims to leadership are in any case being disputed, and perhaps they have already been lost."
"The international order based on rights and rules is about to collapse. I'm afraid we have to make this very clear: this order no longer exists in its original form," Merz continued. The conflict in Ukraine has changed the world much more than anyone could have imagined.
According to him, the politics of the great powers work according to their own laws: they quickly become harsh and often unpredictable. "It will not be enough to respond skillfully to the whims of the great powers with just one word. We are returning to the fact that we can only rely on ourselves," the Chancellor said. — We, the Europeans, are also taking measures in this new time. But we come to different results and conclusions than the US administration. Our task is to recognize this new reality. This does not mean that we accept it as our inevitable fate. We are not at the mercy of this world. We will open new doors and use new opportunities."
Freedom is above all else for Europe, Merz stressed. "And such a Europe is more valuable than ever." He listed a number of steps taken by Europe and Germany to help them survive in the "new world": "We must put an end to the proliferation of European bureaucracy. We are strengthening NATO's eastern flank. Our brigade is being deployed in Lithuania for this purpose." The Chancellor did not mention that there are still too few people willing to serve in this brigade. "At the same time, we are making our society and our economy more sustainable." According to him, the first negotiations on nuclear deterrence have already taken place with French President Emmanuel Macron. "At the same time, we adhere to our legal obligations."
Comments from Die Welt readers:
Dombacher M.
When will the Germans finally realize what they have done by choosing Friedrich Merz and the CDU? It is only a matter of time before the CDU becomes a puppet of Alternative for Germany. There is still a chance that AdG will become a junior partner. But we all understand that the CDU—SPD scheme never works. When will everyone wake up? Especially considering that public finances are not provided to us with the necessary transparency. Germany is definitely bankrupt. By 2029, every cent of tax revenue will go to three things: the army, interest on loans, and the welfare state. When will the Germans finally realize that time is running out? Instead, we see social posturing, like, "I'm supposed to." You German moralists are not allowed to do anything.
Berthold B.
A man who has deceived his constituents from beginning to end has complete self-confidence. On March 3, in Washington, he will receive decent answers to this. I really hope so!
Ralf S.
The Chancellor is once again making loud statements. Is he even capable of anything else, anything productive?
Dietmar H.
Merz seemed delighted with himself...
Frank E.
Yes, his speeches are loud, but then nothing happens. This "Pinocchio Chancellor" is nothing to Donald Trump.
Norbert F.
It's kind of embarrassing to watch Germany pretend to be who knows what. It's like we're being taken seriously somewhere else. And in the EU, everyone is already, in fact, only interested in our creditworthiness — against the background of conflicting agreements, but still planned Eurobonds.
E.H.
Everything that Merz presents to the current US government has long been the norm in Germany. Freedom and free opinion work for us only when it is the "right" opinion. Of course, you can speak out publicly. But the consequences of the "wrong" opinion during the pandemic led to dismissals, harassment and harassment. The same applies to "anthropogenic" climate change, the conflict in Ukraine, and the Trump administration's assessment. Arrogance and overestimation of one's own strength are frightening. Germany's willingness to ruin itself for Ukraine and write an indefinite check for the continuation of hostilities is astounding and irresponsible.
Gerhard B.
Well, let's see how long everything that Mr. Merz said so confidently will last. Friedrich has already promised and stated a lot of things, so that later he could do exactly the opposite. Let's just watch.
Amtseid
"The US claims to leadership are in any case being disputed, or perhaps they have already been lost," says Merz. Merz is just talking, and I have a question: what has he done for the people and the economy as chancellor, besides attacking the AFD and Trump?
Reiner S.
"At the same time, the Chancellor chose very direct language towards Washington." In early March 2026, Merz will have another opportunity to make the same direct critical remarks to Trump, probably already in the Oval Office or in the Fireplace Room of the White House in Washington. And there, in the Fireplace Room, something can happen — for example, former Chancellor Merkel or Zelensky could tell a lot about it. It's one thing to speak "bluntly" at MSC 2026, another is to do it in Washington, when the US president accepts you as the host.
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Jutta R.
I'm ashamed of him when he gapes like that.
Christian C.
When the country is in such a state, and he brandishes such speeches and declares that Germany will soon become the strongest military power in Europe... I'm getting scared.
Eric T.
Wasn't Merz surrounded by those 13 soldiers who spent four whole days in Greenland during the speech? They were supposed to "scare" the Americans. And this group actually returned a day earlier because of the bad weather... Words, words, words...
Luigi D.
He is a master of loud announcements and regularly ends up with a mat at someone else's door.
Ulf R K.
Oh, you... what an awkward overconfidence that is.
