German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been increasingly critical of the EU, while drawing closer to one of the bloc's biggest critics: President Donald Trump.

  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been growing increasingly critical of the European Union.

  • His tone marks a notable shift compared to his more EU-friendly predecessor.

  • Meanwhile, Merz has been building a relationship with EU-critical U.S. President Donald Trump.

The historically EU-friendly Merz, a former member of the European Parliament, now has a long list of complaints about the bloc. This has included objections to an increase in the EU’s new long-term budget that was proposed last month, as well as calling the bloc out for sluggishness and complex bureaucracy. Germany was also among the louder critics of the EU-U.S. trade agreement.

  • @Der_Mann_mit_Hut@feddit.orgEnglish
    -13•2 days ago

    It is in Germany’s security interest to keep Russian as a mayor military power as far away as possible

    In times of Hypersonic missiles, ICBMs and fast transport aircraft distance is not a good shield. Germany must be able to defend itself, and it must reach that point FAST. I, personally, would not put too much trust in any ally willing to fight for germany - in this way i absolutely agree with de Gaulle who wanted a France that can stand up for itself - we need this for germany. Okay, it may be advantageous to let the Ukrainians bleed Russia a bit, but this is no guarantee for our national security.

    It is also in Germany’s interest to build a rules based international order, where wars of aggression are punished

    The “rules based international order” is dead since Bush invaded Iraq. We are now back in a situation more reminiscent to the time before the first world war, where shaky international support treaties and the age old concept of “might makes right” defines who rules what part of the world. We may not like it, but it is a fact… the faster we accept that, the better.

    • @Kissaki@feddit.orgEnglish
      5•1 day ago

      We may not like it, but it is a fact… the faster we accept that, the better.

      What does it mean to accept that? Try to get in good standing with them? Make agreements and treaties that they will ignore to their liking? Let them and everyone do what they want, and not demand or voice own views and values?

      Trying to keep a rules based international order is all we have left. Even if it does not always apply in practice, it’s better than not having it.

      • @Der_Mann_mit_Hut@feddit.orgEnglish
        -1•22 hours ago

        What does it mean to accept that?

        To prepare to turn any major city of an attacker into glass if it dares to attack - and to do this alone without reliance on some foreign power. So, to go the french route.

    • @einkorn@feddit.orgEnglish
      9•2 days ago

      “As far away as possible” in this context also means in terms of capabilities. Every missile fired at Ukraine, every Russian soldier fallen, is one that is not available to attack Europe. So yes in that sense Ukraine is doing our “Drecksarbeit” or dirty business as Merz said himself.