Live: German Chancellor Merz addresses Bundestag ahead of NATO summit | DW News

Key Concepts

• Geopolitical turbulence and its direct impact on Germany's liberty, security, and prosperity.
• Germany's role in international alliances (EU, NATO, G7) and its commitment to shaping global developments.
• The need for German strength and reliability, both domestically and internationally.
• Iran's destabilizing role in the Middle East, its nuclear program, and the necessity to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
• The importance of a ceasefire in Gaza and a more humanitarian approach to the situation.
• Russia's war crimes in Ukraine, its lack of willingness to pursue peace, and the need to speak to Putin in the language of force.
• The strengthening of NATO and the need for increased defense spending.
• The importance of the European single market and the need to strengthen it.
• The need for a sustainable competitive economy in Europe, including reducing bureaucracy and regulation.
• The importance of trade agreements and the need to resolve the tariff dispute with the US.
• The need to ensure the competitiveness of German trade and industry.

Germany's Role in a Turbulent World

The speech addresses the "new normal" of geopolitical turbulence, citing Russia's war in Ukraine, Hamas's attack on Israel, and Iran's actions as examples. The speaker emphasizes that these events directly impact Germany's liberty, security, and prosperity. Germany must actively assert its interests and shape the geopolitical situation.

Germany is not alone, but part of a network of partnerships and alliances, primarily the European Union, NATO, and the G7. Recent summits in these formats demonstrate the seriousness of the challenges and the opportunities for collaboration. Germany can shape the world's development through these alliances, but it needs to be strong and reliable.

Domestic Strength and Reliability

The German government is pursuing strength and reliability by approving investment and infrastructure packages and introducing migration transitions. Germany is back on the European and international stage, and its resoluteness is appreciated by partners.

G7 Summit and the Middle East

The G7 summit focused on the global economy, resource partnerships, the wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, migration, and the resilience of democracies. There was consensus among the G7 nations on the most important questions.

The summit addressed the escalation between Israel and Iran. The German government's position is that Israel has a right to defend its existence and the safety of its citizens. Defending Israel's existence is part of Germany's reason of state.

Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi rebels are terrorist organizations funded and equipped by Iran. The Iranian leadership is destabilizing the Middle East, and its nuclear program is a serious threat. Iran must not have nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued alarming reports about Iran's nuclear program. Iran's uranium enrichment beyond 60% and the obscuring of activities at nuclear facilities are concerning.

The speaker hopes that Israel and the US will stop Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons. The conflict with Iran must not destabilize the entire region. The German government is making diplomatic efforts to prevent this. The speaker welcomes the US president's call for a ceasefire and calls on Iran and Israel to comply.

Gaza and Ukraine

The speaker questions Israel's aims in the Gaza Strip and urges a more humanitarian approach, particularly for the elderly, women, and children. A ceasefire in Gaza is needed. The speaker thanks the German foreign minister for his diplomatic efforts. Suspending or canceling the association agreement with Israel is something the German government will never agree to.

Putin's war crimes in Ukraine demonstrate his disregard for international law. He has stepped up the bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Ukraine has agreed to an immediate ceasefire without conditions, but Russia has refused. A real and permanent peace requires willingness from all parties. Russia's attacks on the Ukrainian civil population show its lack of willingness to pursue a peaceful end to the conflict. Putin's statement that Russians and Ukrainians are one people and that all of Ukraine belongs to Russia is unacceptable.

Putin only understands the language of force. Working for peace means speaking to him in that language. The 18th sanction package against Russia will be discussed at the European Council. The speaker appealed to the US to step up its sanctions against Russia.

NATO Summit and European Council

The NATO summit will focus on ensuring peace in Europe for coming generations. Increased spending on defense and security is necessary because Russia is endangering the security and liberty of the entire Euro-Atlantic region. Germany must take on responsibility and contribute its share to the alliance. The German armed forces will become the strongest conventional army in Europe. Germany will support its partners on NATO's eastern flank. The speaker acknowledges that Germany ignored the warnings of the Baltic states about Russia's imperialistic policy and states that the security of Lithuania is Germany's security too.

The European Council will discuss how to mobilize and spend new money for defense efficiently. European strength to shape defense and security depends on economic force. The European single market is a growing market with huge potential and is the global insurance against shocks and external uncertainties. Strengthening the single market and pursuing an ambitious common European trading policy are key jobs.

Competitiveness and Trade

The German government will vote for a sustainable competitive economy in Europe. Progress is needed in Europe regarding the austerity and investment union, a more integrated energy infrastructure, and a comprehensive reduction of bureaucracy. Less regulation is needed in Europe. The European Commission's omnibus package is a step in the right direction. Laws in the future need to be passed with a changing mindset, with less regulation from the European level. This is a prerequisite for successful trade policy.

The EU Commission is negotiating with the US administration to solve the tariff dispute. Tariffs damage everyone. The speaker hopes for a solution by early July. If not, the EU is prepared and has options available to assert its interests. The US has an economic interest in continuing to cooperate with Europe, particularly Germany.

Domestic Policy and Economic Outlook

Economic power enables Germany to negotiate and shape the world and to finance social cohesion. The government must ensure the competitiveness of German trade and industry. Germany wants to remain a modern industrial country. The rapid program that has been approved will be implemented quickly and consistently. The framework for public-private investment will be improved. Bureaucracy will be reduced, and energy prices will be reduced. Energy policy will be affordable, reliable, and neutral in terms of technology. The mindset around regulation will be changed.

The forecast for the German economy is improving, but more improvement is needed. The next priority is to ensure that working hard pays off. The burden on employees and workers will be eased. The German labor ministry is working on replacing the citizens' income with another income support program.

Conclusion

Recent weeks have been weeks of crisis, radical change, and violence. The world around us is unlikely to calm down soon. We can exert influence on how this new normal develops. We can ensure that it goes hand in hand with liberty, prosperity, and peace. The entire German government is focusing on this aim. Germany can tackle challenges and solve its own problems. The prerequisites are that we are strong inwardly and externally, that we have social cohesion, and that we allow innovation and create value. The German government promises to work hard to ensure that Germany finds its way back to its own strength, both within the country and externally.

Analysis by DW Chief Political Editor Mika KNA

• The speech was a lesson in realpolitik in motion.
• The Chancellor took a moral stance, reflecting how he is thinking on his feet and adjusting to a new reality.
• He outlined the challenge and the new reality to the German public and international partners, signaling that Germany is a staunch partner within NATO.
• Germany will stand in for economic prosperity and take any measures necessary to make Europe economically strong.
• The Chancellor is trying to keep the Americans on board.
• The 5% pledge on defense spending is what the European partners are putting on the table.
• The Chancellor wants to continue to convince the US president that tariffs are not the way forward.
• He was very nuanced on the issue of Iran, accepting the fact that new facts have been created on the ground.
• He pleaded for the humane treatment of civilians in Gaza and called for a ceasefire.