Also known as: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz · Chancellor · Chancellor Friedrich Merz
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The Namibian
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced closer cooperation with France on nuclear deterrence
“Shortly after the speech, France and Germany jointly announced plans for "closer cooperation" in the field of nuclear deterrence. The two countries will "take the first steps this year, including German participation in French nuclear exercises… and the development of conventional capacities with European partners," according to a text signed by Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.”
France to boost nuclear arsenal and extend deterrence to European alliesNew Era
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would hold talks with European allies to formulate a very clear European position and joint response to Washington
“German chancellor Friedrich Merz said Saturday he would hold talks with European allies to formulate "a very clear European position" and joint response to Washington before he travels to the US capital in early March.”
Trump hikes US global tariff rate to 15%New Era
German chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly said his country would assume responsibility for security of the entire European continent
“German chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly said that his country would now assume responsibility for the security of the entire European continent.”
Opinion – Delusions of grandeur … France, Ukraine and the limits of EU powerThe Namibian
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would ask Trump to reconsider his decision not to invite South Africa
“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said last week he would ask Trump to reconsider his decision not to invite South Africa.”
SA not invited to first G20 meeting in US this monthThe Namibian
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said ceasefire in Ukraine should be next step
“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron both said a ceasefire in Ukraine should be the next step, even though Trump had argued that it was not necessary before a more permanent solution is found.”
Zelensky leaves White House unscathed as he buys more timeThe Namibian
German chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed shock in a call with the mayor of Hamburg
“German chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his shock in a call with the mayor of Hamburg.”
Police say Germany mass stabbing suspect has psychological illnessThe Namibian
Friedrich Merz was elected as Germany's chancellor
“The election of Friedrich Merz as Germany's chancellor yesterday is a big step in what has been an unconventional political career – as well as a leap into the unknown.”
Germany’s new chancellor: Who is Friedrich Merz?The Namibian
Merz heads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
“Merz (69) heads the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), but has never previously held a top governmental office with significant leadership responsibilities.”
Germany’s new chancellor: Who is Friedrich Merz?The Namibian
Friedrich Merz said it is five minutes to midnight for Europe
“Last week, he lobbed a bombshell into the fray by saying it is five minutes to midnight for Europe, a continent that gambled irresponsibly by outsourcing its security and created economic and security dependency on the United States.”
On the Drama Surrounding UkraineThe Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 43.8% of the vote in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, far ahead of the CDU's 17.2%, marking the first time a far-right party has won control of a German state since World War Two, though the AfD fell short of an outright majority.
7 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 43.8% of the vote in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, far ahead of the CDU's 17.2%, marking the first time a far-right party has won control of a German state since World War Two, though the AfD fell short of an outright majority.
7 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Peter Magyar's Tisza party won a decisive parliamentary majority with record turnout, ending Viktor Orban's 16-year rule. Magyar, a political newcomer promising to restore democratic checks and balance, pledged to put Hungary "back on track" with Europe after Orban's clash with the EU over rule-of-law and Ukraine.
14 April 2026 · New Era →
German defence manufacturer Rheinmetall has forecast a 45% jump in 2026 sales to a maximum of 14.5 billion euros, driven by European countries increasing military spending in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and uncertainty over US security commitments. The firm's core profit jumped by a third to a record 1.8 billion euros in 2025, and it is rapidly expanding production capacity across Europe.
12 March 2026 · New Era →
President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will increase its nuclear warheads from around 300, launch a new nuclear-armed submarine in 2036, and extend its "advanced deterrence" strategy to eight European countries including Germany, Poland, and the UK, allowing them to participate in nuclear exercises and host French air bases. The move, described as the most significant change in French strategic thinking since 1960, aims to complicate adversaries' calculations across the European continent while retaining sole decision-making power over nuclear weapons use with the French president.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Donald Trump increased the global tariff on US imports to 15% on Saturday, one day after the Supreme Court ruled much of his tariff programme illegal. The move prompted international pushback, with Brazil's president calling for equal treatment of all countries and the German chancellor pledging to formulate a joint European response.
23 February 2026 · New Era →
An RT opinion piece argues that last week's Paris meeting of Western supporters of Ukraine produced only a non-binding declaration with no new security guarantees or American commitments, leaving Ukraine's defence strategy unchanged. The author contends that Western European ambitions have generated "information noise" rather than real leverage, while Washington maintains a pragmatic focus on financial and commercial interests.
16 January 2026 · New Era →
Doctors at hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz told the BBC their facilities were overwhelmed with injuries as anti-government protests entered their second week, with at least 50 protesters reported killed. Iranian authorities issued coordinated warnings to protesters, while international leaders and US President Trump called for protection of the right to peaceful protest.
10 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Key European countries and US envoys met with President Zelensky in Paris to discuss security guarantees for a potential ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine, as representatives from 35 nations, including 27 heads of state, gathered to show alignment on Ukraine's post-war settlement.
7 January 2026 · New Era →