Friedrich Merz: The Rise of a Hardline Conservative to Germany’s Chancellery

A Veteran Politician’s Path to Power

Friedrich Merz, a 69-year-old veteran German politician known for his hardline stance on migration and his passion for aviation, is poised to become Germany’s next chancellor after emerging victorious in the federal election on February 23. Merz, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has had a long and storied political career, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. His rise to power comes at a critical juncture for Germany, as the country grapples with economic stagnation, migration challenges, and a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Merz’s journey to the chancellery began when his long-time rival, former Chancellor Angela Merkel, stepped down in 2021. This move prompted Merz to re-enter the political arena after years of relative obscurity. Despite two unsuccessful bids for the CDU leadership in 2018 and 2021, Merz finally secured the party’s top spot in 2022. His persistence paid off when the governing coalition collapsed in November, leading to a snap election. The CDU, under Merz’s leadership, emerged as the strongest party with 28.6% of the vote, solidifying his position as the next chancellor.

A Conservative Roots and Early Political Career

Born in 1955 in the conservative, Catholic town of Brilon in North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz’s political inclinations were shaped from an early age. He joined the CDU’s youth wing while still in school and later entered full-time politics in 1989 when he was elected to the European Parliament at just 33. Merz quickly established himself as a leader in financial policy, advocating for simpler tax rules that could be calculated “on the back of a beer coaster,” as he famously put it in 2003.

However, Merz’s early political career was not without challenges. His rivalry with Angela Merkel, who became the CDU’s first female leader in 2000, pushed him to the fringes of the party. Merkel’s centrist policies and leadership style clashed with Merz’s more traditionalist, right-wing approach. By 2009, Merz had left politics altogether, transitioning into a lucrative career in the private sector, where he worked as a lawyer and senior counsel at Mayer Brown, amassing significant wealth.

A Political Comeback and Divorce from Merkel’s Legacy

Merz’s return to politics was buttressed by his desire to steer the CDU away from Merkel’s centrist legacy. He sought to bring the party further to the right, hoping to reclaim votes lost to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merz’s criticisms of Merkel’s leadership were scathing; he once described her tenure as a “carpet of fog” and lambasted her “open door” refugee policy during the 2015 migrant crisis as a grave mistake.

Despite his struggles to lead the CDU in the past, Merz’s 2022 election as party leader marked a significant turning point. His campaign for the chancellery focused on bread-and-butter issues like tax cuts, deregulation, and workforce incentives. Merz also took a hardline stance on immigration, advocating for the rejection of asylum-seekers arriving from other EU member states. However, his campaign was not without controversy. A dalliance with the AfD three weeks before the election drew sharp criticism, with many accusing him of breaching the mainstream parties’ “firewall” against the far-right group.

Policy Positions and International Outlook

Merz’s policy agenda reflects his conservative and pro-market stance. He has pledged to reboot Germany’s stagnant economy, lower taxes, and slash welfare spending, arguing that the government should avoid “paying people who are not willing to work.” On immigration, Merz has been unapologetically stringent, even apologizing for labeling Ukrainian refugees as engaging in “social tourism.”

Internationally, Merz has taken a firm stance on key issues. He supports Germany’s military aid to Israel and advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On Ukraine, Merz has called for a more robust approach than the outgoing government, supporting the delivery of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv. He has also emphasized the need for Europe to assert its independence from the United States, a stance that aligns with growing European sentiment in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s unpredictability.

A Vision for Germany’s Future

As Merz prepares to take the reins of a Germany mired in crises, his vision for the future is clear: a more prosperous, secure, andassertive nation. He has vowed to strengthen Germany’s economy, crack down on illegal migration, and ensure the country’s independence from the United States. At the same time, Merz has sought to balance his hardline rhetoric with pragmatic leadership, distancing himself from the AfD while still seeking to reclaim votes from the far right. His ability to navigate these competing priorities will determine the success of his chancellorship.

In many ways, Merz’s rise to power represents a shift in Germany’s political tides, away from the centrist policies of the Merkel era and toward a more conservative, right-wing agenda. While his leadership may bring stability to a fractured political landscape, it also poses significant challenges, both domestically and on the international stage. As Germany and Europe navigate uncertain times, all eyes will be on Friedrich Merz to see if he can deliver on his promises and lead the country toward a brighter future.