German CDU leader Friedrich Merz ‘resolute and determined,' former EU chief Barroso says

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German CDU leader Friedrich Merz ‘resolute and determined,' former EU chief Barroso says  Merz’s centre-right CDU emerged as the largest party in Sunday’s federal elections, winning 208 seats in the 630-seat German parliament.  READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/02/25/german-cdu-leader-friedrich-merz-resolute-and-determined-says-former-eu-chief  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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00:00Former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has described Germany's likely

00:06next chancellor as a resolute person who understands the country's priorities in terms of the economy

00:13and defence.

00:14Friedrich Merz, what I know from him, is a much more, let's say, resolute, determined

00:20person, stronger also in his style, with clear ideas. I think he's going to make it clear

00:26the priorities for Germany being the economy and defence, which for me is obvious. That's

00:32where the politicians in Germany should focus their attention.

00:37Merz's conservative CDU emerged as the largest party in Sunday's federal elections, although

00:44he will now have to begin coalition talks with the centre-left Social Democrats before

00:49he can secure his position as chancellor.

00:53Merz has so far outlined three key topics in these negotiations, curbing migration,

00:59strengthening the economy and determining Europe's foreign and security policy.

01:05He has also pledged to make Europe more independent from the United States, something Barroso

01:11described as exceptional.

01:14Friedrich Merz has been an Atlanticist. He's a pro-American. In fact, his professional

01:21life, working also with United States companies and so on. So he has no prejudice against

01:26the United States. On the contrary, but considering the latest developments, he thinks it's important

01:32to show leadership at the European level. And that is what I think Europe needs now.

01:37Merz has, however, emphasised that he will do everything he can to continue a good transatlantic

01:43relationship with the United States, even if this may be more difficult with the new

01:47Trump administration.

01:51For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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