Friedrich Merz makes big promises from Ukraine to economy in first government statement to Bundestag
The new German chancellor has pledged to recover Berlin from years of economic stagnation, deliver on “much needed” military development and fulfil NATO defence spending targets.
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00:00German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz delivered his first speech to the Bundestag, where he pledged big reforms.
00:08The newly appointed leader made big promises on various pressing issues, from the war in Ukraine to the stagnant German economy.
00:15One of the big reforms he's promised is to increase Berlin's role in the European Union.
00:30Deutschland, by wesentlichen Fragen der europäischen Politik, einfach der Stimme enthält. Diese Zeiten sollen vorbei sein.
00:38Mertz said that he's held two phone calls with US President Donald Trump recently regarding Ukraine.
00:45The German leader says he'll do all he can to bridge the gap between the US and Europe to preserve the political unity of the West.
00:51Es ist von überragender Bedeutung, dass der politische Westen, meine Damen und Herren, sich nicht spalten lässt.
01:01Und deshalb werde ich weiter alle Anstrengungen unternehmen, um auch weiterhin größtmögliche Einigkeit zwischen den europäischen und den amerikanischen Partnern herzustellen.
01:12Mertz also promised to revive an unusually sluggish German economy plagued by years of stagnation.
01:18Wir werden deshalb alles daran setzen, Deutschlands Wirtschaft wieder auf Wachstumskurs zu bringen.
01:25Wir wollen investieren und reformieren. Beides gehört zusammen.
01:31Auch in der Wirtschaftspolitik bin ich der Überzeugung.
01:35Wir können aus eigener Kraft heraus wieder zu einer Wachstumslokomotive werden, auf die die Welt mit Bewunderung schaut.
01:43Er hat also expressed his desire to boost the country's defenses and continue to fulfill NATO obligations.
01:51The German chancellor also committed to reducing bureaucracy, offering tax incentives for businesses,
01:57and fostering more trade deals within the EU.
