Germany’s Merz Demands ‘Independence’ from the US After Huge Conservative Vote Victory

In Germany’s recent parliamentary elections, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), secured a win for his centre-right alliance. Merz, who aims to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities, announced his plans to achieve “independence” from the United States, citing growing doubts about U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to Europe’s security.

A Stronger Europe, Less Reliant on the U.S.

Merz emphasized that Europe must no longer depend on Washington for its defense. In light of Trump’s recent comments, which many in Europe see as undermining the continent’s security, Merz said creating an independent European defense capability would be his “absolute priority.”

“After Trump’s remarks, it’s clear that this part of the American government doesn’t care much about Europe’s fate,” Merz told political leaders during a televised roundtable.

Election Results and Political Challenges

Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance won 208 seats with 28.6% of the vote, while the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 152 seats with 20.8%, its best-ever result. Merz will now face difficult negotiations to form a coalition government, likely with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the center-left group that suffered its worst result since WWII.

While Merz’s vote victory marks a shift towards a more conservative, pro-business agenda, he faces intense political pressure. The AfD’s rise, combined with foreign influence from figures like Elon Musk and the Trump administration, is pushing Germany to reconsider its alliances.

Looking Ahead

Merz’s vision for vote Germany is one of swift action and strong leadership, especially as Europe’s security landscape continues to evolve. He aims to form a government that can act decisively on the global stage, particularly as international tensions rise.