Germany’s Friedrich Merz has stated his intention to ensure the country achieves independence from the United States, following the outcome of parliamentary elections. These elections took place amid concerns about US President Donald Trump’s commitment to European security.

Merz, who is expected to form the next government, stated on Sunday that strengthening Europe and reducing its reliance on the United States for defense would be his top priority. He indicated that the unreliability of the US under Trump has made it clear that Europe needs to develop its own defense capabilities.

In response to Elon Musk’s support for the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Merz criticized Musk’s interference in the election campaign. He accused Musk’s actions of being as significant and unwelcome as interventions from Moscow.

The CDU/CSU alliance, led by Merz, secured the most seats in the election with 28.6 percent of the vote. The AfD, which doubled its share from the last election, came in second with 20.8 percent of the vote. The election results reflect a shift in the political landscape of Germany, the most populous and economically powerful member of the European Union, and raise concerns about the country’s stance in relation to both the US and Russia.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/24/germanys-merz-calls-for-independence-from-us-as-conservatives-win-vote?traffic_source=rss