Overview
- Friedrich Merz said on the Machtwechsel podcast that Germany should not consider its own nuclear weapons, citing the Two‑plus‑Four Treaty and the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty.
- He left open a theoretical option for Bundeswehr jets to be available to deliver British or French warheads under a European or NATO arrangement.
- Current reporting reiterates that NATO deterrence relies largely on U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe, with estimates of about 100 warheads and German Tornado jets at Büchel configured for U.S. bombs.
- Merz voiced irritation at the standing ovation for U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference, calling Rubio "Trump in a friendlier packaging."
- He rejected SPD proposals to raise taxes on top earners and heirs and signaled support for a CDU push to set a 16‑and‑over age limit for social media with mandatory age verification.