Germany’s election winner Friedrich Merz warned the United States on Monday against turning its back on allies but also urged Europeans to build up their own defence capabilities, saying it was now “five minutes to midnight for Europe”.
His comments underscored the turmoil engulfing the transatlantic alliance since the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump and fears he could strike a deal with Russia over Ukraine while Kyiv and Europe just watch from the sidelines.
Merz’s conservatives are looking to quickly form a government after winning a national election on Sunday but face tricky coalition talks and the prospect of an obstructive parliament after far-right and far-left parties surged.
Time is pressing for Europe’s ailing largest economy. German businesses are demanding help to remain globally competitive, society is split over migration and the new government must also deal with a confrontational Trump administration threatening tariffs as well as a hostile Russia and an assertive China.
“And what we also see with the greatest concern, of course, is the attempt (by Trump) to make a deal with Russia on Ukraine over the heads of the Europeans, over the heads of Ukraine,” Merz told a press conference.
“It will come as no surprise to you when I say that this is unacceptable both for Ukraine and for Europe,” Merz said, adding it would be difficult if those who put “America First” actually made their motto “America Alone”.
His conservative bloc wants to ally with Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), who came in third, after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to a historic second place.
DEBT BRAKE
“Friedrich Merz must brace himself now,” said Left co-leader Jan van Aken.
Hitherto known as an Atlanticist, Merz again on Monday questioned the reliability of the United States as an ally, adding: “This really is five minutes to midnight for Europe.”
On Sunday Merz had criticised what he called “outrageous” comments from the Trump administration during the election campaign, comparing them to hostile interventions from Moscow.
He also warned Washington not to create divisions by offering preferential tariffs to some European Union members.
In another bold move on Monday, Merz invited Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Germany in defiance of an arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU bloc took first place in Sunday’s election with 28.5% – their second worst result of the postwar era – while the AfD won 20.8%, its best ever result, according to provisional results.
However, mainstream parties rule out working with the AfD, a party which is monitored by German security services on suspicion of extremism but has been endorsed by U.S. figures including billionaire Elon Musk.