Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz warned that the U.S. risks long-term political instability, casting doubt on its role in Germany’s 70th NATO membership anniversary in May.
Germany has largely avoided direct criticism of President Donald Trump’s administration, but recent U.S. statements on NATO and free speech in Europe have drawn condemnation from Berlin.
Speaking at a campaign event in Darmstadt, Merz said Europe must be ready to defend itself as the world order shifts. He expressed concern over Washington’s direction and questioned whether the U.S. would continue to be a reliable partner.
"I hope the U.S. remains a democracy and does not slide into an authoritarian populist system," Merz said. He warned that America could face a prolonged period of political instability, making European self-reliance more urgent.
Merz, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader, is expected to become Germany’s next chancellor after the snap federal election on Sunday. He said that Germany must consider whether the U.S. will remain a strong NATO ally, suggesting that the political order Berlin has relied on is weakening.
"Will the Americans still be there?" Merz asked. "Eight weeks ago, I would not have dared to ask this question, but today we have to give an answer to it."
Three Pakistani sailors are among five crew members killed after a tanker hijacked by pirates off Somalia was recovered by Puntland security forces...
Afghanistan says its forces have killed 41 fighters and captured 62 others after several days of fighting in eastern Nuristan, accusing Pakistan&rs...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev discussed closer bilateral ties and the implemen...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the U.S. and Israel of seeking to foment internal divisions in Iran after failing to defeat the country militarily, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.
The European Union's decision to simultaneously advance accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania marks its most ambitious enlargement effort in more than two decades.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with preparations under way to send another 10,000.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 30 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in Europe.
Three Pakistani sailors are among five crew members killed after a tanker hijacked by pirates off Somalia was recovered by Puntland security forces following more than five months in captivity.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev discussed closer bilateral ties and the implementation of existing agreements during a meeting in Tehran.
Israel believes an incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv may have been an attempted “terror attack” by one of the pilots, after the plane rapidly descended and was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
The war between Iran and the U.S. is creating a widening security challenge for Saudi Arabia, stretching from Yemen’s Red Sea coast to Iraq as the Houthis emerge as a growing source of pressure on the kingdom.
North Korea has dismissed as a “farce” Seoul’s claim that Pyongyang was responsible for a landmine explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line that injured three South Korean soldiers.
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