Friedrich Merz did not even wait for the final results of the German elections before making an assessment that could be decisive in relation to US President Donald Trump, sending the 80-year-old alliance between Europe and the United States into the past, writes Politko.
The Trump administration does not care about Europe and is moving closer to Russia, said Merz, who is on track to become Germany's new leader. The continent, he warned, must urgently strengthen its defenses and potentially even find a replacement for NATO - within months.
Merz's comments represent a historic watershed moment: they reveal how deeply Trump has shaken the political foundations of Europe, which has relied on American security guarantees since 1945.
If he puts his rhetoric into action after forming a new government in the coming weeks, Merck will steer Europe in a radically new direction at a crucial time for the security of Ukraine and the wider region.
"My top priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can gradually achieve real independence from the United States," the future German chancellor said. "I never thought I would have to say something like this on a television show. But after Donald Trump's statements last week, at the latest, it has become clear that Americans, at least this section of Americans, this administration, do not care much about the fate of Europe."
Merc, a staunch Atlanticist who has spent much of his professional career working as a lawyer for American companies, didn't stop there. There will be a NATO summit later this year – but he hinted that Europe may have to devise a new defense structure as a replacement.
"I'm curious to see what direction we're going in heading into the NATO summit at the end of June," he said. "Will we still be talking about NATO in its current form or will we have to establish an independent European defense capability much more quickly?"
Europe, alone
Such statements, from the likely future leader of Europe's largest economy, are stronger than any made by any head of government in response to Trump's ten-day attack on Europe and Ukraine.
On Friday, Merck suggested that it was time to explore nuclear cooperation between France, the United Kingdom and Germany (and others) to replace the American nuclear umbrella that has so far guaranteed Europe’s security from Russian attack. His speculation was not at all frivolous, according to Politico.
Merz's conservative alliance is expected to win the most seats in the Bundestag, but will need to form a coalition with at least one center-left party in the coming weeks.
But he has apparently already decided that he must take on the role of European leader, which Germany has been unable to provide in recent months, largely due to the election campaign and the political crisis that preceded it.
Europe has also suffered from weakened authority in France, where President Emmanuel Macron is struggling to maintain any functional government after his snap election bid last year failed.
Meanwhile, Trump has used his first month back in the White House to destroy the historical ties between Europe and America that date back to the end of World War II.
In a series of highly critical interventions, Trump and his team called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator," unilaterally opened unconditional "peace" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and put the region on notice that American troops may not remain in Europe for much longer.
Another Russia
Merz even went so far as to compare the Trump administration's tactics to those of Russia. He was particularly critical of billionaire and Trump advisor Elon Musk for his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the German elections.
“I have no illusions about what is coming from America,” Merz said during a televised debate on Sunday night. “Just look at the recent interventions in the German election campaign by Mr. Elon Musk – that is a unique event. The interventions from Washington were no less dramatic, drastic and ultimately scandalous than those we saw from Moscow. We are under such enormous pressure from two sides that my absolute priority now is really to create unity in Europe.”
Merz said he still harbors "remnants" of hope that the US Congress and the White House will not completely leave Ukraine out of the peace talks, although he did not sound optimistic.
"I'm not sure what the US government's stance on this war will be in the coming weeks and months. My impression in recent days is that Russia and America are getting closer here, over the heads of Ukraine, and therefore over the heads of Europe," he said.
His first task will be to quickly form a stable government.
"Everyone is looking at Germany now. How quickly will the Germans manage to form a government after this complicated election result? And that is really my first priority here."
Earlier, Trump, in his own unique way, somewhat reached out to Merck.
The president congratulated the election winners, without mentioning Merco by name, and also claimed that the conservative victory was part of his own success – in a way.
But it seems the future German leader has already made up his mind about the new American president, regardless.
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