German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been increasingly critical of the EU, while drawing closer to one of the bloc's biggest critics: President Donald Trump.

  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been growing increasingly critical of the European Union.

  • His tone marks a notable shift compared to his more EU-friendly predecessor.

  • Meanwhile, Merz has been building a relationship with EU-critical U.S. President Donald Trump.

The historically EU-friendly Merz, a former member of the European Parliament, now has a long list of complaints about the bloc. This has included objections to an increase in the EU’s new long-term budget that was proposed last month, as well as calling the bloc out for sluggishness and complex bureaucracy. Germany was also among the louder critics of the EU-U.S. trade agreement.

    • Kissaki@feddit.orgEnglish
      7·
      4 days ago

      We may not like it, but it is a fact… the faster we accept that, the better.

      What does it mean to accept that? Try to get in good standing with them? Make agreements and treaties that they will ignore to their liking? Let them and everyone do what they want, and not demand or voice own views and values?

      Trying to keep a rules based international order is all we have left. Even if it does not always apply in practice, it’s better than not having it.

    • einkorn@feddit.orgEnglish
      10·
      5 days ago

      “As far away as possible” in this context also means in terms of capabilities. Every missile fired at Ukraine, every Russian soldier fallen, is one that is not available to attack Europe. So yes in that sense Ukraine is doing our “Drecksarbeit” or dirty business as Merz said himself.

    • Unpigged@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      4·
      5 days ago

      Brief reminder of operation Spiderweb. That action alone secured more long term safety of countries further away.