DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics How ready are Germans to defend Europe?
Jun 13, 2025
Alexandra von Nahmen, DW's NATO correspondent based in Brussels, investigates Germany's evolving defense posture in the wake of Russia's actions. The discussion highlights Chancellor Merz's controversial pledge to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP and how this sparks mixed reactions domestically and among European partners. The conversation dives into Germany's recruitment crisis and the tension between historical pacifism and current military pressures. Ultimately, it reveals the complexities of Germany's role within NATO and the broader implications for European security.
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Merz's Strong Military Pledge
- Friedrich Merz pledges to make Germany Europe's strongest conventional army, highlighting a shift from previous cautious stances.
- This marks Germany's ambition to increase defense spending significantly, aiming to fill past military underfunding gaps.
NATO Welcomes Germany's Commitment
- NATO views Germany's military buildup news positively but remains skeptical due to years of underfunding.
- Germany's support for NATO's 5% GDP defense spending goal is seen as crucial for alliance solidarity and burden sharing.
Military Staffing Challenges
- Germany currently has fewer soldiers than NATO's goal, with 181,000 active versus a target needing 20,000 more.
- Capacity issues, including barracks and training, limit rapid expansion and complicate conscription discussions.