"We must a sober look at the reality in order to choose the right path for our country, he says. He stresses that our freedom is under threat with growing sense of insecurity, with Germany's economic model also under pressure from a new form of protectionism. He also warns against political forces at home and abroad questioning social cohesion and undermining German democracy."
"On security, he begins by saying that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has a very concrete impact on our lives, and stresses: We want this war to end. But he concedes that there is a reason to fear it will continue for some time. Merz stresses that ending it at the expense of Ukraine's political sovereignty and territorial integrity is out of the question, and warns that a dictated peace could only encourage Putin to seek his next target."
"Merz repeats his regular line on defence as he says: We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we do not have to defend ourselves. But he also makes a broader point about the importance of modernising the country, its civil protection plans, and the army. He also talks about trade, including looking for new partners in an increasingly complex world."
Germany faces fundamental choices this autumn that will define its future. Freedom is under threat because of a growing sense of insecurity and pressure on the economic model from a new form of protectionism. Political forces at home and abroad are questioning social cohesion and undermining democracy. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has a concrete impact on daily life; the war should end but may continue for some time. Any peace that sacrifices Ukraine’s political sovereignty and territorial integrity is unacceptable because a dictated peace would encourage further aggression. Recent drone incursions into neighbouring NATO states were condemned. Defence capabilities, civil protection plans, the army and trade relations require modernisation and renewed international engagement to preserve freedom, peace and prosperity.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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