Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Merz Launches 'Autumn of Reforms' and Rejects a Dictated Peace for Ukraine

A poll lead for AfD underlines the stakes for his defense‑first agenda.

Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor and Federal Chairman of the CDU, speaks at a press conference following the first meeting of the coalition committee after the summer break in the Federal Chancellery.
Image
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany's 'freedom is being threatened'
Co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party Alice Weidel said said 'the autumn of reforms' would 'lead to a winter of still higher spending'

Overview

  • Opening the Bundestag’s autumn debate, the chancellor said Germany must be able to defend itself and tied national security to economic modernization.
  • He ruled out any settlement that compromises Ukraine’s sovereignty and pointed to recent Russian drone incursions into Poland as evidence of ongoing risk.
  • Merz pledged an “autumn of reforms” that revisits the welfare state and pensions while accelerating defense spending and civil protection upgrades.
  • Political pressure is intensifying as a new YouGov survey puts AfD first at 27%, and party co-leader Alice Weidel derided the promised reforms as empty words.
  • Fiscal constraints and large investment plans loom in the background, with loosened debt rules funding defense and a €500bn infrastructure program as Europe discusses a potential reassurance force for Ukraine without a cease-fire.