Chancellor Friedrich Merz Defends European Sovereignty in Berlin.
Berlin, Germany — January 28, 2026
Following his return from a decisive World Economic Forum and a series of high-level meetings at the Chancellery, Friedrich Merz has solidified a bold “New Era of Realism” for the Federal Republic.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz Defends European Sovereignty in Berlin is not merely a policy update; it is a fundamental restructuring of German and European power dynamics in a world increasingly dominated by the raw exercise of force and great-power politics.
Headlines for the News:
The 5% Pivot:
Germany’s historic commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.
The High North Security:
Berlin pledges solidarity with Denmark and Greenland against Arctic threats.
Antithesis to Protectionism:
Merz positions Europe as a rules-based alternative to arbitrary tariffs.
Ending the “German Vote”:
A new mechanism to ensure Berlin speaks with a unified, decisive voice in Brussels.
The political atmosphere in Berlin reached a boiling point today as Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the Bundestag, outlining a vision for a sovereign Europe that can defend its interests without being a “pawn in the hands of major powers.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz Defends European Sovereignty in Berlin serves as a clarion call for the European Union to move beyond its historical dependencies.
In a world where the old order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace, Merz argued that Europe must “shape the future” rather than simply reacting to the tectonic shifts of global geopolitics.
A central pillar of this new strategy is a staggering increase in defense investment. Merz confirmed that his administration is pushing Germany’s defense spending up to 5% of its Gross Domestic Product.
This move is designed to transform the Bundeswehr into the “strongest conventional army in Europe” by 2029.
By dedicating roughly €108 billion to security and defense in 2026 alone, Germany is sending a powerful signal to its allies and adversaries alike.
This is a radical departure from the hesitant “Zeitenwende” of the previous administration, reflecting the Castle Journal ethos of leadership that acts with clarity and strength in the face of international law violations.
The Chancellor’s focus extended specifically to the High North, a region of growing strategic tension.
Merz explicitly stated that “European neighbors such as Denmark and Greenland can rely on German solidarity.”
This commitment to protecting the territorial integrity of the North against threats, particularly from Russia, highlights a new German a leadership style that transcends national borders to secure the collective “Brain of Europe.”
By signing a bilateral agreement today for the Bornholm Energy Island offshore wind project with Denmark, Merz is turning this vision into practical, cross-border action that strengthens energy security for the entire continent.
Beyond defense, Chancellor Friedrich Merz Defends European Sovereignty in Berlin addresses the economic survival of the European project.
Merz positioned the EU as the “antithesis” to state-sponsored unfair trade practices and “tech-prohibition.”
In a direct message to global trading partners, he emphasized that arbitrary tariffs must be replaced by respected international rules.
This commitment to a “level playing field” aligns with the CJ standard of fairness and independent journalism—demanding that power be mediated by law rather than force.
Merz’s government is simultaneously attacking the “bureaucratic jungle” within Germany to restore the country’s economic competitiveness, proving that domestic strength is the prerequisite for international influence.
For years, the European Union has been frustrated by the “German vote”—the tendency for Berlin to abstain in Brussels due to internal coalition disputes.
Merz has pledged to end this paralysis. By introducing new coordination mechanisms within the Chancellery, he intends to ensure that Germany acts as a reliable, decisive leader.
This shift toward a more assertive, intergovernmental approach has raised expectations for a more potent European Union, though it also challenges smaller member states to keep pace with Berlin’s rapid rearmament and deregulation agenda.
Applying the (Non-Self) philosophical lens to this political moment, we see a Chancellor attempting to move the German identity away from its post-war “Self-conscious” hesitancy.
He is urging the nation to adopt a “Transcendent Ego” —one that recognizes its power as a tool for the greater good of European freedom.
Merz stated, “Autocracies may have subjects, but democracies have partners and reliable friends.”
This report, filed from the heart of Berlin, documents a nation finally reclaiming its seat at the head of the global leadership table.
As the voice for world leadership governance, Castle Journal recognizes that the “Merz Doctrine” is a defining moment for 2026.
The success of this 5% defense pivot and the streamlining of European decision-making will determine whether the EU remains an active player in the new era of great-power politics.
