BERLIN
Germanys Merz says spending boost needed to counter Putins war against Europe
Friedrich Merz speaks during a debate and voting about loosen the country's debt rules and change constitution in the German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 18, 2025
German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that his proposed huge spending boost for defense was needed because of Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war of aggression against Europe."
"It is a war against Europe and not just a war against the territorial integrity of Ukraine," Merz told the German parliament ahead of a vote on plans that also include massive new funding for infrastructure.
He said defense contracts should be awarded to European manufacturers "whenever possible."
"We must rebuild our defense capabilities," he told lawmakers, adding that this should be done with "automated systems, with independent European satellite surveillance, with armed drones, and with many modern defense systems" ordered from firms on the continent.
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