EU Confidential Can Germany’s next chancellor help Europe deal with Trump?
Feb 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, James Angelos, POLITICO's news editor in Berlin, Jana Puglierin, Senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Nick Vinocur, POLITICO's editor-at-large, analyze the implications of Friedrich Merz's election as Germany's chancellor-in-waiting. They explore the challenges of coalition-building amid a rise in extremist parties, the shifting dynamics of transatlantic relations, and Europe's urgent need for leadership in response to geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine and energy independence.
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German Election Implications
- Germany's election results signal a potential shift in European politics.
- The rise of the far-right AfD and the need for coalition governments highlight the complexities of the current political landscape.
Merz's Leadership
- Friedrich Merz's election as German Chancellor presents both opportunities and challenges for Europe.
- His stance on the transatlantic relationship and the rise of the far-right AfD will shape his leadership.
Impact of Wagenknecht's Failure
- The failure of the populist left Zahra-Wagnetknecht alliance to enter the Bundestag significantly impacted the coalition outcome.
- Had they succeeded, Merz would have needed a more complex, potentially unstable three-party coalition.