Wild announcement – Merz wants to form “strongest army in Europe”

“We must be able to defend ourselves so that we don’t have to defend ourselves,” said Merz in a government statement in the German Bundestag on Wednesday. The reinforcement of the Bundeswehr is therefore “first” for his government. The deterrent principle has been in the case for decades and has proven itself, Merz said.

“There are few teachings from recent history that can be transferred to the present, just as precisely as this one.” The internship is simple: strengths of aggressors, but weakness invites them to aggression.

Russia serves Merz as a warning
With a view to Russia, Merz emphasized: “Everyone seriously believes that Russia would be satisfied with a victory over Ukraine or the annexation of parts of the country.”

Germany still has a long way to go:

“Our goal is a Germany and a Europe that is so strong together that we never have to use our weapons,” Merz emphasized. For this, Germany must also take more responsibility within NATO and in the EU, “said Merz.

His government will fulfill this obligation and “provide all financial resources that the Bundeswehr needs to become the strongest army in Europe conventionally”. This brings Merz to the policy of his predecessor, which was more concerned with restraint.

Military service should be attractive
This is “no more than suitable for the most densely populated and economic country in Europe,” emphasized Merz. This was expected: “Our friends and partners of us – even more, they call up.”

To do this, however, “the willingness to work” and the number of soldiers in the Bundeswehr must also be increased, Merz said. The German federal government will therefore “create a new, attractive voluntary military service”.