He stated that dependence on raw materials is being used as a political weapon.
In his New Year’s address, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the war in Ukraine is not a distant event given that Russia “attacks” Europe daily with sabotage, espionage, and cyberattacks.
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He remarked on the “severity” of the Russian aggression, which forces Ukrainians to celebrate “under missiles” and without electricity. Merz noted that the United States no longer guarantees security, and Europe must defend itself.
The Chancellor warned of the return of global “protectionism” and that the dependence on raw materials is being used as a political weapon. He added that this directly affects Germany, the world’s third-largest economy and Europe’s leading exporter.
The German economy suffered a recession in 2023 and 2024, something unprecedented in decades. Despite reforms implemented by Merz in his first seven months in office, the economy remained stagnant with zero growth in 2025.
Berlin police violently detained two underage youths for raising their voices in solidarity with Palestine during a peaceful protest. This is what Germany is doing to its own nationals for ‘israel’. pic.twitter.com/hAV5WXh9on
— Dr Rahmeh Aladwan (@doctor_rahmeh) December 27, 2025
Merz defined the current situation as a “change of era,” marked by war, geopolitics, and economic crisis. He called on citizens to overcome challenges using their own resources, without becoming “victims” of major powers.
The Chancellor emphasized that Germany has emerged “stronger” from previous crises and has reinvented itself. He noted that 2026 could be a decisive year for Germany and Europe, where peace, freedom, and prosperity are restored.
Merz called for trust in democratic processes ahead of the 2026 elections and warned about the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party, which continues to expand. He advocated for a broad consensus to solve national problems.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Poland: A court rejected Germany’s request to extradite a Ukrainian citizen suspected of being involved in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022. pic.twitter.com/aGchjIgmbK
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 21, 2025
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Source: EFE
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