At the event in Münster, Hendrik Wüst — the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia and the conservative politician often held up as a possible replacement for Merz — praised the chancellor’s leadership in what appeared to be an effort to project unity and quell talk of a so-called “chancellor swap.”
“Chancellor Friedrich Merz assumed a pivotal role in NATO during a critical phase,” Wüst said ahead of Merz’s speech, commending the chancellor’s “clear commitment” to NATO’s 5% defense spending target. “While others hesitated, the German chancellor stayed the course, thereby providing stability to the alliance,” he went on, adding: “Thanks to you, dear Friedrich, it is clear that Germany is making a strong contribution to peace and freedom.”
While Merz and Wüst sought to project stability and resolve to an international audience, many of the chancellor’s remarks aimed to convince an increasingly wavering German electorate to stay the course on military support for Ukraine.
Many Germans continue to express worry about a potential Russian attack on NATO territory. According to a recent survey for German public television, 42% of respondents said military support for Ukraine goes too far — the highest proportion yet. Opposition to military support for Ukraine is particularly prevalent in the former East Germany, where the AfD is strongest.
“Ukraine must get through this winter, and I am convinced it will. It can count on our help,” Merz said.
“If we falter in Germany, then Europe falters,” he added. “If we remain steadfast, then Europe will remain steadfast.”