Merz urges focus on European security amid pressure over political future

Berlin, Germany. Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on colleagues to look beyond debate over his political future, saying Europe’s protection would enter a decisive phase in the coming weeks and months.

A year after taking office, Merz faces pressure on his position and reform programme after his conservative bloc was defeated by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a state election last week.

Security and domestic politics

Speaking at an Arctic summit in Finland, Merz said Germany’s future was closely linked to that of Europe and that foreign security policy could not be separated from domestic political debates.

“That’s the reason why I’m trying to convince my colleagues, my friends, my political party, the parliamentary group, that this is important, much more important than some of the domestic debates we actually have,” he said.

Merz has become a target of voter dissatisfaction over the cost of living, pensions and economic insecurity in an increasingly polarised political environment. His personal approval ratings have fallen to record lows.

AfD stance on Russia

The AfD has called for a major change in Germany’s policy towards Russia, including restoring ties with Moscow, regaining access to cheap Russian energy and ending aid to Ukraine.

Germany has been Ukraine’s largest European donor since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Merz said he would not “go back one centimetre” on Berlin’s policy.

He said he recognised concerns in parts of the country but warned that a Russian victory would have “unprecedented consequences for all of us, including Germany.”

Upcoming elections

Merz received some relief at the weekend when his CDU won 27.2% of the vote in municipal elections in Lower Saxony. Its coalition partner, the Social Democrats, received 24.6%, while the AfD came third with 15.9%.

The chancellor faces two further state election tests on Sunday. The AfD is expected to lead a poll in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while Berlin will also hold state elections.