Chancellor Merz's New Year's Address: 2026 as a Moment of New Beginnings for Germany and Europe

State of the Nation and Global Challenges

• 💡 The outgoing year saw Germany make significant political decisions, including a federal election and the formation of a new government.
• ⚠️ Europe is experiencing a terrible war (Russia's aggression against Ukraine) that directly threatens Germany's freedom and security, extending beyond a distant conflict.
• 🌐 Germany faces daily sabotage, espionage, and cyberattacks, alongside global economic shifts like protectionism and strategic dependence on raw materials.
• 📈 The German economy is under pressure from necessary reforms, high costs, and international trade conflicts, with new technologies revolutionizing the world of work.

Renewing Foundations for the Future

• 🎯 The federal government's core mission is to renew the foundations of freedom, security, and prosperity for Germany in the coming years and decades.
• 🌍 Europe must defend its interests more strongly independently, as the partnership with the United States, a long-time guarantor of security, is evolving.
• ⚖️ Significant challenges exist in social policy, particularly with an aging society and the need to balance the interests of all generations in social security systems.
• 🛠️ Germany is committed to strengthening its defense capabilities, including amending the Basic Law for investments and establishing a national security council.

Government Actions and Outlook

• ✅ The government has initiated a policy shift within Europe, advocating for the EU to refocus on core tasks like freedom, security, and prosperity, while reducing bureaucracy.
• 🛂 Measures have been taken to reduce irregular migration and create incentives for legal, orderly migration, emphasizing both humanity and order.
• 💰 Economic policies aim to relieve businesses through tax breaks, energy price support, and reduced bureaucracy, alongside a new innovation and technology policy.
• 🌱 Fundamental reforms are planned for social systems, including changes to basic income and pensions, to ensure long-term financial viability.
• 🚀 The Chancellor expresses confidence that 2026 can be a moment of new beginnings for Germany and Europe, building on decades of peace, freedom, and prosperity.