Italian
Germany is preparing to take a delicate and significant step in its security policy. The future German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has announced the intention to start talks with France and the United Kingdom on the sharing of nuclear weapons. However, he emphasized that this initiative will not replace the protective shield provided by the United States in Europe.
EUROPE. Merz, a long-time supporter of transatlantic relations, stated in an interview with the broadcaster Deutschlandfunk that “sharing nuclear weapons is an issue we need to discuss” and that “we need to be stronger together in nuclear deterrence.” The idea of strengthening European defense capabilities is not in opposition to the protection offered by Washington, but rather as a complement.
Merz’s statement comes at a time of renewed debate on European security. The recent opening by French President Emmanuel Macron to the possibility of extending the French nuclear deterrent to other EU states has marked a turning point. Moreover, the extraordinary European Council meeting in Brussels has established new strategies to strengthen defense spending, in light of growing concerns about the Russian threat and uncertain signals from the White House.
Germany’s position on nuclear armaments has always been bound by international treaties that prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, the country participates in NATO’s nuclear sharing agreements, which allow for the use of U.S. warheads on German soil if necessary.
At the same time, Merz is facing significant internal challenges. His proposal for a massive increase in defense and infrastructure spending requires a constitutional amendment, which must be approved by the German Parliament. The support of the Greens is crucial to achieve the qualified majority needed, but the ecological party has expressed strong opposition due to the lack of attention to climate policies in Merz’s plan. To overcome these resistances, the CDU leader has guaranteed that measures for environmental protection will be integrated.
On the political front, Germany is in a phase of transition. After the victory of the CDU/CSU in the federal elections, Merz is working to form a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), with whom he has concluded a series of exploratory talks. Formal negotiations could start in the coming days, with migration and security being the most divisive issues. Merz has promised to adopt a stricter policy on border control and migrant reception, while also trying to respect the European regulatory framework.
The new government will have the difficult task of containing the growth of the far-right AfD, which in the last elections obtained almost 21% of the votes, leveraging a strongly anti-immigration rhetoric. Merz is determined to find a balance between the need to ensure national security and respect for European principles of solidarity.
With the aim of forming a government by Easter, April 20, Friedrich Merz finds himself having to balance internal needs and international pressures. His approach to European defense and migration policy could set a new direction for Germany and the entire European Union. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to turn his ambitions into a concrete and shared project.
