German Liberty ‘At Risk’ Says Merz as He Warns Against ‘Dictated Peace’ in Ukraine

Opening the discussion in the Bundestag, Chancellor the head of government outlined the critical issues this autumn, declaring that Germany confronts choices “not about details, but about very fundamental issues” that will shape its future.

“We must take a clear-eyed look at reality in order to select the right path for our nation,” he said.

He emphasized that “national liberty is endangered” with a growing “feeling of vulnerability,” adding that the country’s financial system is also “strained” from “a new form of protectionism.”

He also warned against “political forces at home and abroad” that question social cohesion and undermine the nation’s democratic foundations.

On security, he began by saying that the Russian invasion of Ukraine “has a very concrete impact on our lives,” and stressed: “We want this war to end.”

But he conceded that “there is reason to fear it will continue for a while longer.”

Merz stressed that “concluding the conflict at the expense of Ukraine’s political sovereignty and borders is unacceptable,” and alerted that “an imposed resolution” could “further motivate the Russian leader to seek his next target.”

He then censured recent Moscow’s unmanned aerial violations into Poland and Romania.

“The Kremlin has repeatedly testing the limits,” he commented, but stressed:

We will not allow this.

‘National Defense Readiness Is Essential’, Merz Affirms

Merz repeated his frequent stance on defense, asserting:

We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we won’t need to defend ourselves.

But he also made a broader point about the importance of modernizing the country, its civil protection plans, and the military.

He also talked about economic relations, including seeking new partners “in an increasingly complex world.”

He noted that “the distinction between domestic and foreign policy is simply outdated,” as the state’s initiatives abroad “help maintain liberty, peace and prosperity at home.”

He also mentioned advancements on his government’s mission to lower the number of asylum applications in response to increasing immigration challenges.