Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor: Europe was free-riding on US
The Interview20 Heinä 2025

Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor: Europe was free-riding on US

Europe was free-riding on US

Nick Robinson speaks to Friedrich Merz, the new German Chancellor, about the future of Europe’s defence amid the growing threat posed by Russia. Merz, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democrat party, was elected as Chancellor earlier this year at the second attempt, following chaotic scenes in the German Bundestag that saw him lose the first parliamentary vote. He’s been in the UK to sign the first-ever friendship treaty between the two countries - it’s a wide-ranging agreement covering everything from migration to energy, and business to defence.

Unlike his predecessors who, in the shadow of World War Two, were keen to reassure the world that German military strength was not a priority, Chancellor Merz has decided to invest heavily in defence.

He says that a strong army is now essential, thanks to the grave threat Russia poses to European peace and stability - and that Germany must be able to protect itself, and not rely on America.

Chancellor Merz also talks about his good relations with US President Donald Trump and the rise of the far right AFD (Alternative für Deutschland) party in his country, which is now the official opposition.

Thank you to the Today programme team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Nick Robinson Producers: Lucy Sheppard, Ben Cooper and Kirsty McKenzie Sound: Dave O’Neill Editor: Nick Holland

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Friedrich Merz. Credit: Reuters)

Jaksot(1885)

Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk: Freedom of navigation will depend on some kind of deal between the two sides at war

Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk: Freedom of navigation will depend on some kind of deal between the two sides at war

“We need to get back to something where freedom of navigation and peaceful navigation is restored, and that will depend on some kind of deal between the two sides in that war.” Jonathan Josephs spea...

13 Maalis 23min

Karim Beguir, co-founder of InstaDeep: People are too gloomy about AI

Karim Beguir, co-founder of InstaDeep: People are too gloomy about AI

“People are too gloomy about AI, particularly in the developing world it is seen as a threat, that people are going to be using AI systems, rather than offshoring jobs and the like. That's true, but y...

11 Maalis 23min

Samantha Power, former US Ambassador to UN: Closing USAID was soft power suicide

Samantha Power, former US Ambassador to UN: Closing USAID was soft power suicide

“The destruction of USAID is not only one of the cruellest acts that I've seen in my career, but of course also one of the dumbest.”Caitriona Perry speaks to Samantha Power, the former American ambass...

9 Maalis 23min

Julia Gillard, former Australian PM and chair at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership: The backsliding of gender equality

Julia Gillard, former Australian PM and chair at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership: The backsliding of gender equality

“One of the things that was going to combat gender inequality in our world was that sense of progress and then to see in the research that actually the younger generation is more conservative on these...

6 Maalis 28min

Guillermo del Toro, director: I only make movies for art

Guillermo del Toro, director: I only make movies for art

“I have never made a movie I didn't believe was necessary for me or for someone in the world, whether to entertain or to connect at a spiritual level or something. It's been only done for the art.”Joh...

4 Maalis 26min

Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN deputy director for women: Africa must prioritise water over war

Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN deputy director for women: Africa must prioritise water over war

“Africa is flowing with resources from oil, diamonds, critical minerals. But at times we find that in our cities, at the bus stations, there's no toilets with running water in a continent which is ric...

2 Maalis 23min

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine: We will not lose this war

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine: We will not lose this war

“We stand and fight for survival. We are an independent state. We will definitely not lose this war”Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s International Editor, speaks to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky i...

27 Helmi 22min

Boris Johnson and Sir Tony Radakin: Ukrainians are heroes

Boris Johnson and Sir Tony Radakin: Ukrainians are heroes

Laura Kuenssberg speaks to former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and former head of the British Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, about the war in Ukraine.Johnson was in Downing Street f...

25 Helmi 23min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
the-ulkopolitist
linda-maria
radio-antro
rss-sanna-ukkola-show-verkkouutiset
rikosmyytit
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-girls-finish-f1rst