// LEADERS' VIEWS
FRIEDRICH MERZ, CHANCELLOR, GERMANY
Germany calls for a stronger, united Europe
O ur country is facing important decisions this autumn… [Freedom is being threatened] by military force, by hybrid threats, by attacks on our democratic order… [Social cohesion in Germany is being] openly called into question by political forces at home and abroad… We want to remain exactly what we are … [With regard to the social system] we have to change structures. We need to reorganise things to ensure they continue to fulfil their purpose in the future … This so-called autumn of reforms has long since begun… [It is important to] strengthen our defence capabilities … [The newly established National Security Council in the Federal Chancellery will] start its work soon. We can have greater trust in our country. [The announced migration turnaround] has been successfully initiated … We have to invest. Speech during the general debate in the Bundestag, 17 September 2025 Europe must utilise its opportunities with greater unity and determination … Being a force for peace is and remains the basic idea of the European Union. We will not be frightened. We will not allow our free society to be unsettled by hybrid attacks. [The financial protection of Ukraine by utilising frozen Russian government bonds is also to be pursued further] … We don’t want to do this to prolong the war. We want to do this in order to end this war as quickly as possible… We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we don’t have to defend ourselves… [The necessary strength of the European Union is based to a large extent on its competitiveness and that impetus is needed here. There is] no knowledge problem, [but rather] an implementation problem. Europe will only become more productive if it changes fundamentally. [Europe needs] an end to regulatory frenzy, faster procedures, more open markets, more innovation and more competition. [Open technology, innovation and competitiveness are] an organic part of our economic and environmental policy. The exchange of goods and services has once again become an instrument of power in the world, to the detriment of those involved … [Europe must use its potential] more decisively and with greater unity… The Federal Government is working for this strong Europe day after day. Policy statement ahead of the European Council, 16 October 2025
26 // G20 SOUTH AFRICA: THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2025
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