A fantastic start for Friedrich Merz

The incoming chancellor signals massive increases in defence and infrastructure spending

FOR YEARS Germany’s aversion to debt has been a millstone, leading to crippling underinvestment in defence and infrastructure and weighing down both the domestic economy and that of Europe as a whole. But, although he will not become chancellor for some weeks, Friedrich Merz, who won Germany’s election on February 23rd, has just transformed his country with a stroke of commendable boldness.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Fantastic, Friedrich”

From the March 8th 2025 edition

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