Germany’s Next Chancellor Calls For Europe To Break Free From U.S. Influence Amid Political Shake-Up

Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has called for Europe to achieve “independence” from the United States after his conservative opposition party surged to victory in Sunday’s snap election. His remarks come amid heightened transatlantic tensions and growing support for the far-right in Germany.

Merz, a veteran conservative who has never held a government post, is poised to lead Europe’s largest economy after his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party secured 28.6% of the vote, according to preliminary results.

Merz Declares Victory, Slams U.S. Influence

“Let’s get the party started,” Merz, 69, told jubilant supporters at the CDU’s headquarters in Berlin, signaling his eagerness to kickstart coalition negotiations. His victory speech also hinted at the challenges ahead, particularly as Europe navigates an increasingly unpredictable relationship with the U.S. under President Donald Trump.

During a televised debate later that evening, Merz criticized alleged U.S. interference in Germany’s election campaign. “The interventions from Washington were as dramatic and outrageous as those from Moscow,” he said, emphasizing that his top priority would be to unite Europe against external pressures.

“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe so that, step by step, we can truly achieve independence from the USA,” he declared.

Merz also reacted strongly to Trump’s recent foreign policy moves, particularly his decision to engage in Ukraine peace talks with Russia without consulting European leaders. “I never thought I would have to say this on live television, but after Trump’s statements last week, it’s clear that this U.S. administration is largely indifferent to Europe’s fate,” he said.

Far-Right AfD Surges to Second Place

In a stunning development, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 20.8% of the vote—its best-ever result—making it Germany’s second-largest party. Despite this, the AfD remains excluded from government due to the “firewall” agreement among mainstream parties, which prevents cooperation with the group due to its extremist ties.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered a historic collapse, taking just 16.4% of the vote. This marks a dramatic fall from the 25.7% it won in 2021 and comes after the breakdown of the SPD-led “traffic light coalition” government.

Election Shaped by Immigration, Economy, and Trump

Sunday’s election was driven by concerns over immigration, economic instability, and the potential return of Trump to the White House.

Two recent deadly attacks—one in Magdeburg before Christmas and another in Munich last week—fueled heated debates over immigration policy. The AfD capitalized on the incidents, advocating for “remigration,” a controversial policy calling for the mass expulsion of immigrants, regardless of citizenship status.

Both the CDU and SPD responded by toughening their stances on irregular migration, proving that even without securing power, the AfD has already reshaped Germany’s political discourse.

International Reactions and Challenges Ahead

World leaders quickly congratulated Merz on his victory. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed hopes of deepening UK-Germany ties, while French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for a “strong and sovereign Europe.”

However, Merz faces an uphill battle in forming a government. With 82.5% voter turnout—the highest in years—coalition negotiations are expected to be complex. While the AfD remains excluded, Merz may seek to partner with Scholz’s SPD or the Green Party to secure a majority.

Germany’s post-war stability was built on U.S.-led NATO security and economic ties with Russia and China. But with shifting alliances and rising political fragmentation, Merz’s leadership will determine whether Germany and Europe chart a new independent course—or remain tethered to transatlantic ties.

As coalition talks begin, one thing is clear: Germany’s political landscape has changed, and Europe is at a crossroads.