Friedrich Merz on "Carmen Miosga": "We must not make a mistake again!"

t-online (German) Friedrich Merz on "Carmen Miosga": "We must not make a mistake again!" Article by Charlotte Zink • 6 hours • 4 minutes reading time Merz on "Carmen Miosga" "We must not make a mistake again!" Friedrich Merz has clear ideas about future German policy on Ukraine The CDU candidate for chancellor spoke to Caren Miosga about his problem with women. With a view to the war in Ukraine, he called for a stronger role for Europe. "Are you a man for tomorrow, Mr. Merz?" Caren Miosga was looking for an answer to this question on Sunday evening and had invited the CDU candidate for chancellor as her sole guest. In the studio, she confronted Merz with a series of "impudent questions," as she herself introduced it. Among other things, she wanted to know whether the CDU leader was more likely to curse other drivers using animal names or names of "bad body parts" when driving. After all, he is considered to be someone who can lose his temper, explained Miosga. The guest Friedrich Merz (CDU), federal chairman and candidate for chancellor "Can you give me a few examples?" asked Merz. "You idiot!" Miosga immediately cursed. "Yes, that direction!" confirmed the CDU leader. When asked whether he had his own example, he simply replied: "Big idiot!", the others were not suitable for the television studio, he made clear. Miosga confronts Merz with women's problem Miosga also used Merz's visit to confront him with the fact that he has little sympathy points, especially among young women. In a video clip, "Zeit" journalist Mariam Lau reported that the CDU leader was considered an "old-school macho" by many of her female acquaintances. This statement caused laughter among the studio audience and also from Merz himself. Miosga wanted to know from the CDU candidate for chancellor whether he saw the description as "insult or compliment". Merz made it clear that he did not feel "addressed at all". Elsewhere he referred to his commitment to encouraging more women to get involved in politics. Merz wants a stronger role for Europe With a view to tomorrow's political future, Miosga also discussed the upcoming elections in the USA on Sunday evening. Merz did not want to reveal to Miosga whether he would vote for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. After all, as chancellor he must be able to work with both if necessary, he explained. However, the Federal Republic must prepare better for Donald Trump to be re-elected president. In addition, Germany must make decisions more independently of the USA and more closely with European partners, Merz made clear. Europe should take on a stronger role with regard to the Ukraine war, Merz demanded. "It is no longer the strong force for order that we were actually used to," he explained with a view to the USA. When Miosga asked whether he would allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attack military targets deep in Russia, he replied that such a decision must be made with the USA, but "much more" coordinated by Europe. "You wouldn't rule out permission?" Miosga concluded. He would try to gain a common European position on this, said Merz. He explained that he only wanted to deliver the Taurus cruise missile to Ukraine after a phased process. He was in favor of telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that he had to stop bombing civilian targets. If Russia did not comply, he would first be in favor of lifting the restrictions on the use of the weapons supplied. In a second step, he would then deliver Taurus. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is rejecting the delivery of Taurus because of its range to Moscow, among other reasons. The Union parliamentary group had twice submitted a motion to deliver Taurus to Ukraine. CDU candidate for chancellor warns of another mistake On Sunday evening, the discussion also focused on what Merz would do for the Bundeswehr as chancellor. There is a gap of 30 billion that needs to be filled. In order to become capable of defending itself again, explained the candidate for chancellor. Risk analyses show that Russia is arming itself to such an extent that it will be able to attack NATO territory in five to eight years, explained the CDU leader. "That is a very realistic assessment of the situation," he clarified. Ten years ago, people were wrong about Russian President Vladimir Putin and he then invaded Ukraine, Merz clarified. "We must not make another mistake!" he made clear. Otherwise, the price for this would be "much higher." Merz also criticized the fact that the so-called Ramstein meeting to support Ukraine was also canceled after US President Joe Biden's visit to Germany was canceled.