Brussels visits today (9.5.2025) – for the first time as a Chancellor of Germany- Friedrich MertzIn order to meet with the president of the Commission, Ursula von der Laien, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
According to the German Economic Magazine Wirtschaftswoche, Friedrich Mertz will move to familiar territory. After all, he began his political career as a CDU MEP before heading to the German Bundestag. Those involved have also been familiar with Mertz for years: First and foremost, CSU Vice President Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party (EPP), the Christian Democratic and Conservative Party organization. And, of course, Ursula von der Laen.
Mers had several exchanges of views with the Commission President recently and these conversations were not always harmonious. He has long been accusing his colleague on the CDU von der Layen (ed. He was a leading Merkel party official) that with the green agreement he overcame bureaucracy at the expense of businesses.
The corrections it has requested and announced to date by the Commission is not enough for the new German Chancellor. EPP MEPs also require extensive reliefs – starting with reporting obligations, documentation and other bureaucratic requirements.
Also, the German Chancellor is also openly complaining about the sluggish development of the EU’s single market and the lack of EU competitiveness – which does not exactly give von der Laien and its committee a flattering intermediate report. “Brussels must work if the economy is going to recover again,” circles around Mertz said, adding that “there is definitely room for improvement.”
1. Dissatisfaction with EU balance sheet
Chancellor and head of the CDU – the largest and biggest influence of the EPP’s European family’s party – had assured von der Layen for his support during the European election campaign. However, this was linked to the condition that it will focus more on the needs of the economy during its second term.
Mertz emphasized the importance he gives to the EU by making his first trip to Brussels as president of the CDU. His recent speech at the EPP Congress in Valencia, Spain, showed that he has big plans for Europe.
“We are ready to bring results and form a government in Germany that will be one of the strongest European supporters you have ever seen from my country,” Merz promised.
He said he realized that Europe would like to see more German responsibility and leadership in recent years, but he would “move forward with a lot of energy” and launch a whole series of new initiatives.
Its goals are clearly described: Strengthening European unity and defense potential, coupled with Europe’s necessary re -equipment, constructive and, if necessary, aggressive stance on US President Donald Trump – and as a way out of the US customs.
His rather extensive plan for a new and stronger European policy includes the adjustment of climate protection and competitiveness in favor of economic recovery and – despite critical objections – a radical correction of immigration policy.
2. Defense is at the top of the agenda
In the face of the Russian threat, Europe has to speak with a voice, Merz had already requested (7.5.25) during his opening visit to French President Emmanuel Macron to Paris.
According to Chancellor, this must be achieved mainly “by organizing our defense in a much more effective way that raises our defensive ability to a new level”. To achieve this, a realistic approach must be adopted for common military supplies and the development of a European defense industry. This also includes common defense projects. He sees the framework for Europe’s defense within NATO. “The US must remain on board,” is the goal of the US expert and for many years president of the Atlantic Bridge.
Mertz critically faces the calls of Paris to put Europe under the French nuclear umbrella. However, Europeans must be able to defend themselves in the future better than in the past, he stresses. “This is not optional, but a prerequisite for maintaining freedom and peace on the European continent.”
Who pays for more army?
However, funding is still unclear. The Commission, which has now appointed its own Defense Commissioner and has presented many plans, leans towards the common debt through so -called defense bonds and is supported by France, Italy, Spain and other Member States.
Germany traditionally rejects common lending. The coalition agreement states that Germany will continue to be responsible for the debts of other Member States and that funding out of budget must remain the exception.
However, defense spending should no longer be calculated in the future on the debt limits of the EU Stability Pact – a rule applied in a similar way by both Mertz and his partner in the Lars Clingbale Coalition.
3. The EU budget throws shadow in the future
There are also discussions that there will be an EU’s long -term budget from 2028. Von der Laien has repeatedly emphasized the gaps in the EU budget and has linked them to the request for a significant increase in budget.
EU revenue sources are also discussed – an approach for which Mertz is rather cautious. The Chancellor also criticizes the fact that European demands for more and more money do not include proposals for redistribution or even resource savings.
4. The dispute over migration is inevitable
Huge problems are getting ready for the new Chancellor in terms of immigration policy.
The announcement of the new Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrid (CSU) to turn all people back to the German borders who have no entry permit immediately led to protests from almost all neighboring German states.
The Chancellor will have to weigh a difficult question: wants to burden its appearance on the Brussels stage with the new rigorous arrangements for asylum and immigration policy that has promised during the election campaign or will it seek compromises aimed at consistency?
As Germany has no external borders with the EU and yet it is far from the largest number of immigrants, in Berlin they rightly assume that refugees are passing in Germany from its neighbors in the EU.
This is despite the fact that, according to EU law, the country of first arrival is responsible for the asylum procedure.
Since the distribution lock defined in the common European asylum system (KESA), including reference and recovery obligations, also applies little, the German position is understandable – but also at the center of future differences.