Western-Backed Rules-Based International Order No Longer Exists: German Chancellor
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declares the collapse of the Western-led order, calling for massive EU rearmament and deeper NATO integration amid global power shifts.
Germany | PUREWILAYAH.COM — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the Western-backed “rules-based international order” has effectively collapsed, using the Munich Security Conference to push for rapid militarization across Europe.
“The international order based on rights and rules… no longer exists,” Merz told the forum, asserting that the United States’ claim to global leadership has been “challenged and possibly lost.” He attributed the shift to what he described as Russia’s “revisionism” and China’s ambition to shape the global system.
Merz urged European states to accept what he framed as a new era of global rivalry defined by competition over resources, technology, and supply chains—describing international relations as an emerging zero-sum struggle between major powers.
Massive Rearmament Amid Economic Strain
Merz’s remarks come as Berlin seeks to bypass European Union budget and competition rules to fund a sweeping rearmament drive aimed at stabilizing Germany’s weakening economy.
Germany plans to allocate approximately $582 billion in defense spending by 2029, despite ongoing economic stagnation.
The German central bank has warned that the country is heading toward its largest budget deficit since the early 1990s, raising concerns over the long-term sustainability of the militarization push.
Critics note that the framing of global insecurity is increasingly being used to justify unprecedented military expenditure at a time of domestic economic pressure.
NATO Alignment and Nuclear Signaling
Merz emphasized that strengthening Europe’s position within NATO remains Berlin’s top priority, pledging to invest “hundreds of billions of euros” into the military and to maintain Germany’s support for Kiev in its conflict with Moscow.
He reiterated his goal of transforming the Bundeswehr into the “strongest conventional army in Europe”, while also announcing discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding a potential EU-level nuclear deterrence framework—signaling a shift toward greater strategic autonomy through militarization.
Russia Dismisses Escalation Narrative
German officials have increasingly framed Russia as an imminent military threat, setting 2029 as the target date for making the Bundeswehr “war-ready.” Moscow has dismissed these claims as baseless.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously warned that Europe’s current leadership is steering the continent toward dangerous historical repetition, accusing Germany and its allies of reviving aggressive power politics under a new guise.
Conference Reflects Western Strategic Anxiety
Merz’s speech underscored a broader trend at the Munich conference: Western leaders openly acknowledging the erosion of their post–Cold War dominance while responding primarily through military buildup rather than diplomatic restructuring.
As internal economic pressures mount and global power balances continue to shift, Europe’s renewed turn toward militarization highlights growing uncertainty within the Western bloc over its future role—and its ability to impose order on an increasingly multipolar world. (PW)