Germany's Merz: 2026 Will Be Our "Year of New Beginnings"

In his New Year's address, Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined a critical turning point for Germany. He said the year 2026 can be a "year of new beginnings" for the nation. Merz pointed to major global challenges. These include the ongoing war in Ukraine and changing relations with the United States. He also addressed serious domestic issues. The Chancellor cited technological change, slow industrial growth, and delayed political reforms. He further mentioned continued high levels of migration. A key part of this new start, he indicated, is a major increase in German defense spending. This shift responds to the new security reality in Europe. The speech framed the next two years as a preparation period. The goal is to overcome these combined crises by 2026.