Chancellor Merz brings new political style to Germany – DW – 06/07/2025
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Washington was met with favorable coverage back home, with many hailing a new political style that contrasts with that of his predecessors, Olaf Scholz and Angela Merkel.
The consensus was that he handled it quite well: The new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz got through his first visit to US President Donald Trump without any heated exchanges or diplomatic faux pas. Although he hardly had a chance to speak during the nearly 50-minute press conference in the Oval Office, he was able to say that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
For his part, Trump treated the conservative politician with more respect than he did former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was not invited to the White House, or Angela Merkel, whom Trump once famously refused to shake hands with in the Oval Office.
Things have been pretty busy in German politics since May 6, when Merz, of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), took office. Since then, Germany's new head of government has made surprising statements and bold announcements nearly every week.
'A very close cooperation' says Merz after meeting Trump
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
This is in contrast to his predecessor Scholz, of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), who became known for his tendency to keep the public in the dark about his plans. Scholz had consistently urged his staff to adhere to the motto: "We will not be upset, we will not become hysterical." In other words, he was at pains to convey a sense of calm.
Merz: A politician full of impatience
Merz, on the other hand, never hid his impatience at having to wait so long in the wings before finally securing the office he so coveted: In 2002, he lost a power struggle with Merkel for the leadership of the CDU. Frustrated, Merz moved into the private sector and only returned to politics when it became clear that Merkel intended to step down in 2021. Four years later, at the age of 69, he finally reached the pinnacle of power in Germany. The chancellorship is the first public office Merz has held in his life.
Scholz and Merz couldn't have more different personalities. The former is a sober, soft-spoken northern German who had plenty of government experience before he became chancellor. Scholz was the mayor of Hamburg and then the federal finance minister under Merkel. By contrast, Merz, by nature very conservative and easily irritated, rose quickly through his party ranks even without administrative political experience. Nor are the two politicians particularly fond of each other.
'What can we do?' versus 'We must do this!'
DW Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner knows both men well, having accompanied the two leaders on several foreign trips. Reflecting on the different styles of the two politicians and their predecessor, she noted: "While Merkel always thought with the outcome in mind and Scholz was reluctant to even describe a political goal before he had paved the way for it, Merz clearly defines his goals." According to Küfner's analysis, this represents a significant political shift in itself.
Germany promises Ukraine around €5 billion more in support
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Policy on Ukraine
It took Scholz until the summer of 2022 to visit Ukraine, which had been invaded by Russia in the spring of that year. For a long time, Scholz remained secretive about whether he would supply weapons to the embattled country — though in the end he did.
Merz, on the other hand, visited Ukraine within days of taking office, together with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, when they announced that there would soon be a ceasefire and peace talks.
But this still hasn't come to pass, while President Donald Trump appears to have backed out of his earlier commitment to forge a lasting peace. Given the US president's unpredictability, this was not really a surprise, something Scholz would certainly have taken into account.
"Following the strong performance with Macron, Tusk, and Starmer came this diplomatic embarrassment," says Berlin-based correspondent Küfner. "Merz still has to prove that this defeat can translate into strong leadership."
Why is Germany toughening its tone on Israel now?
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Germany and Israel
The change in style in Germany's policy toward Israel is even more noticeable. After the Islamist militia Hamas attacked Israelin October 2023, Scholz's response was essentially to insist on Israel's right to defend itself. This remained his stance even as the Israeli army took increasingly brutal action against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The European Union, as well as the United States, Germany and several other countries classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.
As an opposition politician at the time, Merz also showed strong support for Israel and even announced that, unlike Scholz, he would demonstrate that support by inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the chancellery. That stance did not waver even after the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu last November for crimes against humanity.
But soon after taking office, he made something of a U-turn: A few days ago, Merz said he no longer understood Israel's actions in the Gaza war, before adding that they could no longer be justified as a legitimate fight against Hamas terrorism. Never before has a chancellor spoken so bluntly about the actions of the Israeli government.
Küfner says: "Merz's criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza is a historic step. He is not afraid to directly criticize the Israeli prime minister about alleged violations of international law. This is a new tone from Germany." With this, Merz begged a question that Scholz had successfully avoided: How far does the German reason of state, the commitment to Israel's security, actually extend?
What this will mean in practical terms for German-Israeli relations remains to be seen. Even under Scholz, arms deliveries to Israel had been relatively limited, and Merz has not announced an end to these deliveries. Nor has he repeated his earlier invitation to Netanyahu.
In practical terms, not much has really changed, but the tone is definitely different. This is likely to continue over the coming weeks. Germany will have to get used to the chancellor's new political style. Meanwhile, Scholz is now observing all this from his position as an ordinary member of the Bundestag. And he has not yet made any comments on his successor's policies.
This article was originally written in German.
While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
an hour ago
- DW
Canada boosts defense spending to hit NATO's 2% target early – DW – 06/09/2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney rebuked US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs as he said Canada needed to reduce its reliance on Washington. 22 of NATO's 32 members are set to spend 2% on defense this fiscal year. Canada will meet NATO's defense spending threshold of 2% this fiscal year, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on Monday. Carney added that Canada will achieve NATO's spending target of 2% of gross domestic product five years earlier than his Liberal party had previously planned. "I am announcing today that Canada will achieve NATO's 2% target this year — half a decade ahead of schedule," Carney said during a speech at the University of Toronto. "Now is the time to act with urgency, force, and determination." The increased spending will see new submarines, aircraft, ships, armed vehicles and artillery, as well as new radar, drones and sensors to monitor the sea floor and the Arctic purchased and a boost in pay for the armed forced "Our military infrastructure and equipment have aged, hindering our military preparedness," he added. "Only one of our four submarines is seaworthy. Less than half of our maritime fleet and land vehicles are operational. More broadly we are too reliant on the US." King Charles backs Canada after Trump's takeover threats To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Reliance on US to be reduced During his speech Carney said that the world was becoming a "darker" place, meaning that Canada needed to reduce its security dependence on the United States. Since taking office in mid-March, Carney has delivered a series of stark warnings about what he terms the changing nature of US global leadership under President Donald Trump. "In a darker, more competitive world, Canadian leadership will be defined not just by the strength of our values, but also by the value of our strength," Carney said. "The United States is beginning to monetize its hegemony: charging for access to its markets and reducing its (relative) contributions to our collective security. We should no longer send three quarters of our defense capital spending to America." NATO members increasing defense spending Carney framed the announcement as a move designed "to protect Canadians, not to satisfy NATO accountants." In April, NATO announced that 22 of its 32 members hit the 2% spending target. European countries have ramped up their military budgets since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and NATO has set 2% as a bottom line for spending. Canada has also been in discussions with the European Union to join an EU drive to break its security dependency on the United States. There has been a focus on buying more defense equipment, including fighter jets, from Europe. Carney's government is reviewing the purchase of US F-35 fighter jets to see if there are other options. Edited by: Zac Crellin
DW
4 hours ago
- DW
US, Chinese officials meet in London for further trade talks – DW – 06/09/2025
The two countries have begun talks in London and are likely to discuss the US' restrictions on the sale of high-tech products to China, as well as China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals Top US and Chinese officials met in London on Monday for trade talks amidst tensions between to the two superpowers. Beijing has sent Vice Premier He Lifeng for the negotiations while Washington is being represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at Lancaster House. Issues up for discussion are likely to include US restrictions on the sale of high-tech products to China, and China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals, where it dominates the global market. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to the meeting in a phone call on Thursday. It's the first time officials from the two countries are meeting since May, when tariffs on both sides were cut back considerably following discussions in Switzerland. A spokesperson for the British government confirmed only that the meeting will take place in the UK and that the country "welcomes the dialogue." Harvard students from China, Taiwan in limbo To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video US officials desire 'handshake' agreement According to Trump, the talks will focus on the details of the May trade agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called on China to keep its side of the agreement to pave the way for a more comprehensive deal. "The purpose of the meeting today is to make sure that they're serious, but to literally get handshakes," Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC in an interview. He said the expectation was that immediately after the handshake, export controls would be eased and rare earths released in volume. After the phone call between the two presidents last week, China has also called on the US to stick to the agreement, while refraining from criticism. The talks, which could run into Tuesday, come at a crucial time for both economies, with investors looking for relief from Trump's cascade of tariff orders since his return to the White House in January. Edited by: Zac Crellin
DW
6 hours ago
- DW
Chancellor Merz brings new political style to Germany – DW – 06/07/2025
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Washington was met with favorable coverage back home, with many hailing a new political style that contrasts with that of his predecessors, Olaf Scholz and Angela Merkel. The consensus was that he handled it quite well: The new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz got through his first visit to US President Donald Trump without any heated exchanges or diplomatic faux pas. Although he hardly had a chance to speak during the nearly 50-minute press conference in the Oval Office, he was able to say that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia. For his part, Trump treated the conservative politician with more respect than he did former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was not invited to the White House, or Angela Merkel, whom Trump once famously refused to shake hands with in the Oval Office. Things have been pretty busy in German politics since May 6, when Merz, of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), took office. Since then, Germany's new head of government has made surprising statements and bold announcements nearly every week. 'A very close cooperation' says Merz after meeting Trump To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This is in contrast to his predecessor Scholz, of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), who became known for his tendency to keep the public in the dark about his plans. Scholz had consistently urged his staff to adhere to the motto: "We will not be upset, we will not become hysterical." In other words, he was at pains to convey a sense of calm. Merz: A politician full of impatience Merz, on the other hand, never hid his impatience at having to wait so long in the wings before finally securing the office he so coveted: In 2002, he lost a power struggle with Merkel for the leadership of the CDU. Frustrated, Merz moved into the private sector and only returned to politics when it became clear that Merkel intended to step down in 2021. Four years later, at the age of 69, he finally reached the pinnacle of power in Germany. The chancellorship is the first public office Merz has held in his life. Scholz and Merz couldn't have more different personalities. The former is a sober, soft-spoken northern German who had plenty of government experience before he became chancellor. Scholz was the mayor of Hamburg and then the federal finance minister under Merkel. By contrast, Merz, by nature very conservative and easily irritated, rose quickly through his party ranks even without administrative political experience. Nor are the two politicians particularly fond of each other. 'What can we do?' versus 'We must do this!' DW Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner knows both men well, having accompanied the two leaders on several foreign trips. Reflecting on the different styles of the two politicians and their predecessor, she noted: "While Merkel always thought with the outcome in mind and Scholz was reluctant to even describe a political goal before he had paved the way for it, Merz clearly defines his goals." According to Küfner's analysis, this represents a significant political shift in itself. Germany promises Ukraine around €5 billion more in support To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Policy on Ukraine It took Scholz until the summer of 2022 to visit Ukraine, which had been invaded by Russia in the spring of that year. For a long time, Scholz remained secretive about whether he would supply weapons to the embattled country — though in the end he did. Merz, on the other hand, visited Ukraine within days of taking office, together with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, when they announced that there would soon be a ceasefire and peace talks. But this still hasn't come to pass, while President Donald Trump appears to have backed out of his earlier commitment to forge a lasting peace. Given the US president's unpredictability, this was not really a surprise, something Scholz would certainly have taken into account. "Following the strong performance with Macron, Tusk, and Starmer came this diplomatic embarrassment," says Berlin-based correspondent Küfner. "Merz still has to prove that this defeat can translate into strong leadership." Why is Germany toughening its tone on Israel now? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Germany and Israel The change in style in Germany's policy toward Israel is even more noticeable. After the Islamist militia Hamas attacked Israelin October 2023, Scholz's response was essentially to insist on Israel's right to defend itself. This remained his stance even as the Israeli army took increasingly brutal action against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The European Union, as well as the United States, Germany and several other countries classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. As an opposition politician at the time, Merz also showed strong support for Israel and even announced that, unlike Scholz, he would demonstrate that support by inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the chancellery. That stance did not waver even after the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu last November for crimes against humanity. But soon after taking office, he made something of a U-turn: A few days ago, Merz said he no longer understood Israel's actions in the Gaza war, before adding that they could no longer be justified as a legitimate fight against Hamas terrorism. Never before has a chancellor spoken so bluntly about the actions of the Israeli government. Küfner says: "Merz's criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza is a historic step. He is not afraid to directly criticize the Israeli prime minister about alleged violations of international law. This is a new tone from Germany." With this, Merz begged a question that Scholz had successfully avoided: How far does the German reason of state, the commitment to Israel's security, actually extend? What this will mean in practical terms for German-Israeli relations remains to be seen. Even under Scholz, arms deliveries to Israel had been relatively limited, and Merz has not announced an end to these deliveries. Nor has he repeated his earlier invitation to Netanyahu. In practical terms, not much has really changed, but the tone is definitely different. This is likely to continue over the coming weeks. Germany will have to get used to the chancellor's new political style. Meanwhile, Scholz is now observing all this from his position as an ordinary member of the Bundestag. And he has not yet made any comments on his successor's policies. This article was originally written in German. While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing.
