Merz: Excessive regulations are damaging the EU's popularity

Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned today that excessive regulations are making the European Union less popular, also stressing that Germany is ready to take a more important role on the international stage.

Merz, who will become German chancellor next week, spoke at a rally of the European People's Party in Valencia and expressed his belief that "this is the moment of the European Union."

"Our message must be clear. If other states question the values ​​of national sovereignty, the inviolability of borders, freedom and democracy, we will fight even harder for those values," stressed the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Donald Trump's return to the White House has tested the transatlantic partnership in terms of security and defense, but also in terms of "the cohesion of the so-called West," the incoming German chancellor continued. He stressed that these challenges are beyond the capacity of European states to face them individually, so it is more important than ever to act together for "the future of our societies."

He called for a more efficient reorganization of European defense, for more effective arms purchases, acceleration of military production, and joint development of new weapons.

"This is not a choice, it is a prerequisite for preserving peace and freedom on our European continent," he stressed.

Merz also called for a fight “against regulations at all levels.” The incoming German leader warned that the EU is “boring” its citizens with regulations such as those on non-separable caps and that it must find a balance between climate policy and industrialization.

“Have we lost our minds? Do we really want to make the EU less popular with such regulations?” the German chancellor asked, calling such measures “nonsense.” Merz said that “many today expect more leadership from Germany than in previous years” and stressed that his next government is ready for this and will push “Europe forward.”