Merz demands coalition unity as SPD Russia manifesto sparks backlash

Yahoo

a day ago

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is calling for unity within his governing coalition amid dissent from some members of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) over the country's defence and Russia policy.
Merz, a conservative who took office last month with the SPD as the junior coalition partner, said the parties in government were "in complete agreement on the assessment of the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine and on the consequences that must be drawn from it."
"And I am counting on this unity to remain intact," he added, speaking during a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Berlin.
In light of recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, Merz warned that anyone "with a reasonably clear view" must recognize that "Russia is a threat to the security of the entire alliance."
His comments come after prominent SPD figures issued a position paper calling for a shift in Germany's approach to Russia.
The manifesto, signed by former parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich, ex-party chief Norbert Walter-Borjans, foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner, and several federal and state lawmakers, urges direct diplomatic talks with Moscow and criticizes the government's rearmament plans.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, a leading SPD figure and one of the country's most popular politicians, forcefully rejected the document.
"This position paper amounts to a denial of reality," said Pistorius. "It exploits the desire of the people in our country for an end to the terrible war in Ukraine, for peace."
The manifesto, which has been made available to dpa and was signed by more than 100 people, warns against "alarmist military rhetoric" and claims "huge armament programmes do not create more security for Germany and Europe, but lead to destabilization."
Pistorius countered that while he shared a desire for peace, Russian President Vladimir Putin had rejected ceasefire offers and continued bombing Ukrainian cities with increasing brutality.
"He breaks off negotiations. And when he does negotiate, he simultaneously bombs cities in Ukraine with even greater severity and brutality," Pistorius said. "He is pursuing a strategy of confrontation. Not us."
Germany, the second-largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States, is set to push for a significant increase in NATO defence spending at the alliance's summit in July.
Merz is advocating for members to spend at least 3.5% of economic output on defence, with an additional 1.5% on infrastructure.
The paper's authors oppose this target and reject the stationing of new US mid-range missiles in Germany.
They also call for "a return to dialogue with Russia once the guns fall silent, including on a peace and security order for Europe that is supported and respected by all," emphasizing the need for cautious diplomatic contacts and confidence-building measures.
The SPD is expected to debate the manifesto and wider defence policy at its party conference later this month, a gathering likely to be contentious following the party's poor showing in February's elections.
The SPD, one of Germany's two traditional mainstream forces, was relegated to third place behind Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the far-right Alternative for Germany.