“There were different circles within the coalition where we insisted very strongly that we should reject this war,” said Adis Ahmetovic, SPD’s chief foreign policy member. he told it Deutschlandfunk radio earlier this week.
‘Economic fear and refugees’
But Merz is also driven by the economic risks of a protracted war, especially as Germany’s energy manufacturing sector – which was already vomiting before the war started – especially affected by the increase in costs.
“Growth prospects are likely to continue to deteriorate,” said Veronika Grimm, one of the country’s leading economists. he wrote in an essay to the German newspaper Handelsblatt. “For Germany, this means that hopes for a return to growth are fading again.”
Germany is also expected to be among the EU countries most affected if the escalating war in the Middle East leads to a new refugee crisis.
Germany would be the most popular destination for Iranians fleeing war, with 28 percent of Iranians identifying it as their most likely refuge. according to research by the Berlin-based Rockwool Foundation. That is largely due to the fact that Germany already has a large number of Iranian refugees.
The challenges come as Merz’s conservatives face a series of state elections where growing concerns over the economy and wars abroad are playing a key role – and are helping to propel the right wing.
Given the growing risks, Merz on Friday said he would work to develop a plan to end the war through talks with the G7 and Israel.
“Germany is not participating in this war, and we don’t want to be one,” Merz said. “And in that regard, all our efforts are aimed at ending the war.”
