Friedrich Merz’s election as leader of the CDU in Germany received wide international recognition; however, concerns arose regarding the Alternative for Germany’s significant electoral gains. World leaders, including those from the EU, US, Russia, and Israel, conveyed mixed reactions about the implications of the election results. Merz now faces the challenge of forming a coalition and addressing economic and geopolitical priorities in a complex political landscape.
Following Friedrich Merz’s election victory as leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany, numerous global leaders extended their congratulations. However, concern regarding the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which achieved a record 20.8 percent of the vote, overshadowed the celebrations. With Merz poised to become Chancellor, he now faces the intricate task of coalition-building and addressing both economic growth and global geopolitical challenges.
European Council President Antonio Costa expressed eagerness to collaborate with Merz to strengthen an autonomous Europe amid challenging times. Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union, emphasized the urgency for Germany to establish a new government to advance critical decisions at the European level.
In the United States, former President Donald Trump praised Merz’s victory and implied a parallel to his own agenda. “Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration… Congratulations to all – many more victories to follow!!!”
The Kremlin maintained a cautious stance, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov signaling a wait-and-see approach on how relations with Germany might develop under the new government. In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron underscored his commitment to collaborating with Germany for a robust Europe amid global uncertainties.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared his congratulations with Merz, expressing optimism in working with the new German government to enhance mutual relations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on the voters’ decisive choice and pledged collaboration to bolster Europe’s defense against ongoing threats.
From NATO, Secretary-General Mark Rutte voiced hopes for strengthened defense cooperation, specifically urging increased defense spending during this critical time. Concurrently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the CDU and its Bavarian counterpart, signaling anticipation of deepened ties with Germany.
The recent German elections have elicited a mixture of global congratulations for Friedrich Merz and significant concern about the surge in far-right political sentiment represented by the AfD. As international leaders express both support and caution, the development of Germany’s new government will be pivotal both domestically and in shaping future European and global relations.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
