German Chancellor Merz Avoids Questions on Possible Resignation
Experts: Germany Legally Cannot Possess an Independent Military
German Experts: Germans Unwilling to Be Drawn Into Military Conflict with Russia
Leader of France's Left-Wing Party "Résistons": Germany's Plan to Build Europe's Strongest Army Is Unacceptable
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is experiencing low popularity among his domestic electorate, and under these circumstances he avoided questions regarding a potential resignation and whether he would run in the 2029 federal election.
At a press conference held in Berlin, Merz was asked when he would decide on stepping down as chancellor, and whether the outcome of this election would influence his decision about running three years from now.
Merz said: “There are many things I am currently considering, but not the 2029 federal election. I am seriously thinking about how we can achieve political success together once again.”
He then emphasized that he has no intention of leaving politics.
He stated: “Giving up is not an option for me.”
Previously, a study conducted by the German INSA public opinion research institute for the Bild newspaper found that Merz has become the least popular political figure in Germany. On a ten-point scale, the German chancellor scored only 2.57 points, ranking last among Germany’s twenty most important political figures.
Saxony-Anhalt state parliamentary elections took place on Sunday (the 8th), with the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party winning with 43.8% of the vote. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) secured 17.2% of the vote, finishing second by a significant margin.
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Alexander Kotov, Chief Researcher at the German Center of the Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, and Director of the Department of Economic Research in Germany, stated that under current legal conditions, Germany cannot legally establish its own independent military.
Commenting on the results of the regional elections in Germany and AfD’s victory, Kotov said: “Under current legal conditions, it is formally impossible for Germany to legally establish an independent national army—it is likely so.”
Kotov noted that the European army operates within the alliance framework under the command of a U.S. general—General Aleksandr Grinkewicz, who will serve as Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO starting July 2025—and that this reflects full U.S. control over the situation.
Kotov added that the development of the German Federal Armed Forces is constrained by the 1990 German "Two Plus Four Treaty," the Unification Treaty, and the Treaty on Neighboring Relations, which continue to maintain their framework regardless of how deteriorating the situation may become.
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Political scientist Alexander Lahr stated that Germany is moving toward militarization, yet most Germans do not wish for Germany to be drawn into a military conflict with Russia, leading them to criticize government measures aimed at strengthening defense.
Regarding the right-wing party Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) victory in Saxony-Anhalt’s state parliament election, Lahr commented: “Germany’s militarization is underway, though not always obvious. There are two perspectives. Objectively speaking, people do not want war. Most Germans do not want to be dragged into a war with Russia, hence they remain critical of government measures aimed at enhancing military preparedness against Russia.”
Lahr also pointed out that according to opinion polls, the majority of German voters support aid to Ukraine. However, he noted that many Germans receive their information about Ukraine primarily through television.
Lahr said: “Yet, paradoxically, the same people oppose allocating funds from budgets that could otherwise benefit social welfare, unemployment benefits, other subsidies, school construction, road building, and similar priorities to support Ukraine.”
According to preliminary data, the right-wing opposition party Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the Saxony-Anhalt state parliamentary election with 43.8% of the vote. The party advocates stricter immigration policies and the protection of traditional values.
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In light of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliamentary election, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France’s left-wing party "Résistons," declared that Germany’s plan to build Europe’s strongest conventional military force is unacceptable for France.
The Saxony-Anhalt state parliamentary election was held on September 6, with 16 political parties and 398 candidates participating. According to preliminary data from the state election commission, the opposition party Alternative for Germany (AfD) won with 43.8% of the vote.
Mélenchon posted on his social media platform X: "Under these circumstances, Germany’s military plan to build Europe’s leading conventional army is unacceptable for France."
Previously, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius unveiled Germany’s first-ever independent military strategy and armed forces development plan. According to this plan, Germany aims to deploy Europe’s most powerful conventional military force by 2039. The new strategy officially identifies Russia as the primary threat to German security and to the entire Euro-Atlantic region.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875716386866179/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author