Merz’s New Year’s speech: “Let’s not listen to fear mongers” | EUROtoday

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has known as for confidence regardless of world crises and is selling the implementation of essential reforms for the financial system and the welfare state. “We have it in our own hands to overcome each of these challenges on our own,” mentioned the CDU politician in his first New Year’s speech, in response to the textual content of the speech that was distributed prematurely. “We are not victims of external circumstances. We are not the pawns of major powers.”

The yr 2026 might be a second of departure, mentioned the Chancellor. “That is the prospect that I want to open to you and to all of us.” It might be a yr by which Germany and Europe construct on many years of peace, freedom and prosperity with new energy. “For this we have to trust ourselves, our courage and our drive,” mentioned Merz and added: “Let’s not listen to the fearmongers and the doom-mongers.” Germany has repeatedly reinvented itself and emerged stronger from crises.

“We live in a safe country”

With regard to the struggle in Ukraine, threats from Russia and the tougher relationship with the USA, Merz mentioned that he was conscious that many individuals have been apprehensive about peace within the face of the unsure world. “I tell you: We ensure our security. We live in a safe country.” In order for it to remain that approach, the deterrence functionality should be improved.

For the Chancellor, the renewal of freedom, safety and prosperity would be the focus within the coming years: “The renewal of these foundations will only be possible if we secure our peace in freedom in Europe. But Russia is continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine with undiminished severity,” mentioned Merz. This struggle additionally impacts Germany: “Russia’s attack was and is part of a plan that is directed against the whole of Europe. Germany is also covered by sabotage, espionage and cyber attacks every day.”

Merz guarantees “fundamental reforms”

With regard to the home political challenges, the Chancellor highlighted the federal authorities’s reforms, amongst different issues, for extra development and known as for help for deliberate additional ones, for instance on the way forward for pensions. Quite a couple of mentioned it was nonetheless too little and that it wasn’t noticeable but, mentioned Merz. They could be proper.

After the introduction of the so-called new fundamental safety and selections on pensions, Germany will “have to decide on fundamental reforms next year so that our social systems remain financially viable in the long term.” Germany will reap the advantages of the reforms, even when it takes a sure period of time.