Reference News Network, October 20 report - According to the website of Spain's "El Mundo" on October 18, Germany is rearming. This country, which once swore not to lead Europe militarily due to its war crimes in World War II, has launched the largest military investment since 1945. This rearmament was unimaginable several years ago, and what is most notable is not only the speed of advancement but also the reaction from countries that suffered greatly under Nazi Germany. The fear of German military power has disappeared, and the image of a fully armed Germany is now reassuring. Polish Prime Minister Tusk even said: "Germany should become a leader in the security of Europe and Poland." Thanks to the unlimited borrowing planned by the Mertz government, Berlin is preparing to meet these expectations, thus fulfilling its commitment to NATO to allocate 5% of its GDP to defense.

According to the plans already announced by the German government and the Ministry of Defense, Germany's annual defense spending will increase from 86 billion euros in 2024 to 150 billion euros in 2029. At that time, Germany is expected to have the best-equipped and strongest conventional army in Europe, meaning that the strength of the Bundeswehr (including active and reserve personnel) will expand from the current 180,000 to about 460,000. General of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, said: "From now until 2029, we must be ready for war."

This is no easy task. After the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, the German government began to reduce the size of the Bundeswehr from 500,000 to 180,000. The national conscription system was finally abolished in 2011. Although there are increasing calls for conscription, anti-militarism still prevails in today's German society, especially among the youth.

Nevertheless, the number of people applying to join the Bundeswehr this year has increased by 20%, but not everyone can pass the tests. Even if all applicants pass the tests, it is still not enough to fill the vacancies. Germany is likely to reintroduce some form of conscription.

Differing from previous German chancellors, the new leader of the conservative alliance, current Chancellor Mertz, represents another Germany. This chancellor has no government experience, yet he is a strong leader, oriented towards economic pragmatism, and willing to take action. He transformed the simple improvements of the Bundeswehr by his predecessor Scholz into rearmament, elevating it to a carefully considered national policy. He hopes to make Germany a core power in Europe again.

His idea is to expand Germany's long-standing, low-key hegemony in Europe. What we see now is that the rearmament has become part of Germany's national policy under the leadership of new political elites.

The official narrative is clear and straightforward: Russia is a threat to European security, and the protection of the United States under Trump is not entirely reliable. Mertz repeatedly stated: "Europe must be able to defend itself, and Germany must do its part." In the face of the risk of attack on Poland or the Baltic states, military awakening is seen as a safeguard against Moscow. Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski declared: "I am more afraid of Germany's inaction than its strength."

Indeed, there are also economic considerations. The car industry, a symbol of Germany's prosperity, is in deep crisis. Germany needs a new industry as an engine to maintain employment, exports, and political influence. The defense sector perfectly fits this need.

France is increasingly uneasy about Germany's actions. French President Macron is worried that the financial freedom gained by Berlin for rearmament may erode France's position as the main military power in the EU. Because despite surface-level cooperation, industrial competition between the two countries - from missile defense systems to tanks - is open. This is the key point. All of this indicates that Germany is not only rearming for itself, but also trying to set the industrial and technological standards in Europe, thereby controlling the European defense supply chain.

Berlin has perfected its old tactic of "Europeanizing" its own interests: packaging projects that align with its industrial interests as European projects. For projects that Berlin transforms into military capabilities, NATO provides a political and interoperability umbrella, while the EU acts as a financial and regulatory platform. The result is: Germany rearms using European funds and the Atlantic umbrella, minimizing external concerns and maximizing its influence. (Translated by Su Jiawei)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7563115465799631411/

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