Germany has opted for a new direction in politics since the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) bloc, hitherto spearheaded by Angela Merkel, has won the polls with 28.5% of the votes. It was closely followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 20%.

But those looking for a revival of Merkel’s leadership style will have to think again. The new CDU/CSU leader, Friedrich Merz, is set to lead Europe’s biggest economy with a very different vision from both Merkel and his immediate predecessor, Olaf Scholz. As Lisa Haseldine pointed out in The Telegraph, “It falls to Merz to put the final nails in the coffin of Angela Merkel’s legacy.”

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Let us explore what Merz’s leadership can imply for Germany, Europe, and the global world.

A Hardline on Migration

The most pressing challenge for Merz is responding to immigration issues. Most Germans think that the country’s border protection is in poor shape, and this sentiment has led to the appeal of hardline parties to voters.

Merz has vowed to stand firm on immigration, differing from Merkel’s “Wir schaffen das” (“We can do this”) policy towards refugees. Closing Germany’s borders to illegal migrants would be his priority as chancellor.

His five-point migration plan proposes tightening asylum laws, even if this conflicts with German, EU, or UN Geneva Convention policies. Earlier this year, he introduced a non-binding resolution in parliament to increase border controls on asylum seekers, which was passed with AfD’s support. This move weakened the long-standing “firewall” that kept mainstream parties from working with the far-right. Merkel herself condemned Merz’s actions, marking a clear break from CDU’s past.

Merz’s future steps on immigration are unclear, but his campaign speech points to tougher policies in the future, possibly affecting refugees and asylum seekers severely.

Cutting Back on U.S. Dependence and Empowering Europe

In the days leading up to the election, Merz threatened that there was a risk of an less dedicated United States with Donald Trump.

“We have to prepare ourselves for the risk that Donald Trump will no longer adhere to NATO’s collective defence commitment automatically,” he said.

Merz focused on building European unity, proposing Germany work with the UK and France, both nuclear powers, to increase security. He also said he was willing to discuss common EU borrowing to fund defense efforts.

By promoting European independence, Merz hopes to make Germany a leading voice in the EU, a role that has dwindled in recent years.

Tougher Defense of Ukraine

Merz has been one of the most vocal proponents of Ukraine and will likely increase Germany’s military support. In contrast to Scholz, he supports giving Ukraine Taurus long-range missiles and seems more willing to discuss deploying German soldiers in a peacekeeping role.

His policies may enable Ukrainian troops to attack targets deep within Russian territory, marking a firmer approach towards Moscow. Analysts expect a more aggressive stance towards Russia and Vladimir Putin under Merz’s leadership.

A Change on Nuclear Power and Climate Policies

Germany has been transitioning toward renewable energy, phasing out nuclear power while seeking alternative energy sources. However, Merz is reconsidering nuclear energy’s role. While a full revival of nuclear plants is unlikely, his softer stance could influence EU policies, treating atomic energy more favorably.

He also intends to revoke Germany’s Building Energy Law, which encourages clean heating options, marking a departure from ambitious climate measures. As a candidate, Merz set economic growth as his priority compared to environmental protections, pushing for a reversal of some EU green policies. His leadership can potentially delay Germany’s climate efforts, affecting Europe’s overall environmental agenda.

Rolling Back Cannabis Reforms

Merz’s win would also turn back Germany’s recent legalization of cannabis. Germany partially legalized possession of 25 grams and permitted limited cultivation in the home in 2024. Merz attributes an increase in drug-related crime to this reform and has promised to reverse it.

The End of Merkelism

As Germany looks on, one thing is certain: the Merkel age is over. His tenure brings a dramatic departure from the politics of his CDU predecessor and a new chapter for Germany with far-reaching consequences for Europe and the world at large.