Overview
- In his first New Year's address as chancellor, Merz said 2026 could be a “year of new beginnings” for Germany and Europe.
- He warned that Russia’s war targets the whole continent and said Germany faces daily sabotage, espionage and cyberattacks.
- He urged Europeans to assert their interests more strongly as the partnership with the United States changes under President Trump.
- He outlined plans to increase defense spending, seek constitutional changes to permit military borrowing, and introduce voluntary service for some young men.
- He highlighted pressures from global protectionism and raw‑material dependence, promised relief on taxes, energy costs and red tape, and admitted recent reforms are “not enough.”