Merz sought to project confidence by addressing the economic situation and urging the coalition to work together on solutions. He stressed that coalition leaders had previously consulted with employer and union representatives on potential reforms.
In his speech, Merz also addressed European and foreign policy matters. He reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and called for higher defense spending. He also advocated for a reform of the EU budget from 2028 onward, rejecting an increase in the budget or new joint debt.
The situation between the US and Iran remains tense, as both countries contradict each other regarding a ceasefire. While the US confirmed attacks on Iranian targets, the Iranian military declared that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to shipping. These conflicting reports were analyzed by Maxim Kireev, international politics editor at ZEIT.
Source: www.zeit.de
