German chancellor candidate and the leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU), Friedrich Merz, pledged to lead a joint European approach to Donald Trump’s presidency, according to Euractiv.
After assuming office on Monday, Trump initiated a series of executive orders that included withdrawing the US from international co-operation frameworks such as the Paris Climate Agreement on climate and the WHO. Merz called on European allies to “develop a joint strategy” to work jointly to meet the new challenge.
Germany has to take a leading role. Europeans are waiting for Germany.
Earlier, Merz criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz for failing to initiate joint European action. Under German leadership, Europe could unite around common interests and capitalise on its market of 450 million people, Merz added.
Although Trump invited several European national-oriented officials to Monday’s inauguration, Merz did not believe in a leading role of Italy’s Giorgia Meloni or Hungary’s Viktor Orbán in the dialogue with the United States.
