It was a lightning-fast inaugural visit. Within just six hours, newly appointed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz dashed through a series of high-level meetings in Brussels — with European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Merz made his priorities unmistakably clear: supporting new trade deals, de-escalating the tariff standoff with the United States, curbing irregular migration, and strengthening Europe’s defense posture.
His message was one of unity: "Problems can only be tackled together," he said, adding that the German government is committed to doing exactly that. It must have sounded like music to the ears of European Council President Costa, who welcomed the fresh energy Merz brought to Brussels and emphasized the importance of Germany as a reliable partner.
After years of hesitation, many in Brussels are cautiously optimistic. "Leadership is what we need," said Karel Lannoo of the Brussels-based Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS) to DW, pointing to the political vacuum that followed the implosion of the German traffic-light coalition in November last year.
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