Turning point for European defence? Germany's next leader embraces security independence

There’s no hitting the snooze button on this wake-up call. Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting savoring victory in Sunday’s federal elections while taking stock of what he faces: with the Putin and Trump-backed far-right finishing a strong second, Friedrich Merz stating this his country and his continent could no longer rely on the United States for their defense. Merz stepping out of the shadow of the woman who in a previous life beat him to the CDU's leadership. Angela Merkel, who in her day tried the soft touch on both Trump and Putin. We’ll ask what’s changed since this photo was taken in 2018. And on this the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s all-out invasion of Ukraine, with the French president in Washington for one last try at keeping the U-S onside, all the while leading the push for European strategic autonomy.

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Post from France 24 on February 24, 2025

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