The hands of Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), as he speaks during a news conference at the headquarters of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Berlin, Germany, Monday. [AP]
History is in a hurry, but democracy is not. This is one of the primary challenges we face today in Europe. Take, for instance, what’s happening in Germany, the most important country in the EU. Sunday’s elections revealed the next chancellor, and all eyes are on him. “Europe’s last hope.” “Can Friedrich Merz save Germany – and Europe?” These are some of the typical headlines in recent days. Of course, even he hasn’t hidden the difficulty of his mission, stressing that Europe is now “five to midnight.”
Events are unfolding rapidly. In the coming weeks, crucial decisions will be made regarding Ukraine, decisions that will simultaneously shape a new era in US-Europe relations. Russian President Vladimir Putin answers to no one for his decisions. The concept of consultation or checks and balances does not exist in his system. US President Donald Trump, theoretically, has these mechanisms in place, but for now, he acts as though there are no institutional checks, as Congress and the American establishment watch, stunned, as he dismantles 80 years of foreign policy.
The formation of a government in Germany will take considerable time. The ambitious target – somewhat laughable by current standards – is to have it completed by Easter. The extensive agreement upon which it will be based will include countless provisions that will function like a very tight “corset” for decision making. Of course, there is no alternative.
The problem is that Europe faces critical dilemmas. For better or worse, it must relinquish some of its enviable qualities and move closer to the American model. If it wants to build serious defense capabilities, it must cut back on social spending, for which it is, justifiably, very proud. If it wants to become an economic superpower, it must establish a unified capital market, stop being the world’s hyper-regulator without creating added value in artificial intelligence and new technologies, and drastically reduce the expansion of Brussels’ bureaucracy. Can Europe achieve this with the support of its societies, without pushing citizens to the extremes? Are there leaders in Europe today who can push this agenda forward without losing the backing of their voters?
Trump did us a favor by shaking us up in Europe, reminding us that we can no longer be the spoiled children of the planet. Harsh, brutal, uncomfortable – but it is the reality. History is moving at a dizzying pace and no longer tolerates inertia and delays. Democracies thrive on inertia and are accustomed to delays, but they are – supposedly – the reason why the West has dominated under challenging circumstances for centuries. This core belief will now be put to the test.