Description: Germany’s Chancellor in waiting Friedrich Merz introduced a nuclear shield initiative involving France and the UK to bolster the US protection of Europe. Shortly after his victory in last month’s elections, Merz also stated that Germany should considerably bolster its defensive capabilities as the division between Europe and the US deepened amid Trump’s shifting foreign policy. Merz despite introducing the idea of a European nuclear shield in cooperation with the UK and France also mentioned the pledges that forbid Germany to own or operate such weapons which dated back to the Second World War. Germany’s newest government is still in its foundation stages as initiatives for defense and public debt changes would need majority approval.
Impact: The deterioration between the US and Europe pushed many countries towards introducing enlargement of defense budgets and strengthening of military capabilities. Germany plays a pivotal role on the European continent’s defense and despite laws forbidding the country from owning and operating such weapons enhanced cooperation with nuclear powers such as France and the UK can’t be immediately discredited. With the geopolitical dynamics conforming towards a multipolar landscape, Germany, France and the UK remain as Europe’s greatest economic and defense guarantors and would aim towards empowering the continent’s independence in terms of defensive capabilities.