Chancellor Merz says Europe must assert itself and learn the language of power

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said Europe is entering a new era of great power politics and must learn to speak the 'language of power' rather than act as subordinates to the United States. He made these comments after meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, where they agreed on a pragmatic approach to dealing with a potential second Trump administration.

Merz also said Germany would not join a proposed 'Board of Peace' from Trump and warned that great power politics is making the world a dangerous place. Domestically, he is under pressure from some in his party to ease a political 'firewall' against working with Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party.