Media Moments

On January 22, 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a landmark "Special Address" at the World Economic Forum in Davos. His speech focused on a "new realism" in the face of an unravelling global order, particularly addressing the tensions with the United States over Greenland and the rise of a "power-driven" world.

Below are the 10 top key statements from his address:

1. Warning of an Unravelling World Order

Merz warned that the international liberal order is "unravelling at a breathtaking pace," leading to a more volatile global environment.

Reference: Straits Times - Merz warns great power politics makes world 'a dangerous place'

2. Rejection of the "Rule of Might"

He stated clearly that "a world where only power counts is a dangerous place," emphasizing that such a system first hurts small and middle powers but eventually consumes the great ones.

Reference: WEF - Live from Davos 2026 Day 4 Highlights

3. Preserving the Transatlantic Partnership

Despite recent tensions involving U.S. tariff threats and the Greenland dispute, Merz urged: "Let us not be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership."

Reference: Al Arabiya - Merz says Europeans must not write off transatlantic ties

4. Trust as a Competitive Advantage

He reminded the audience that the United States depends on the trust of its allies as much as they depend on the U.S., calling it their "decisive competitive advantage."

Reference: Reuters via Straits Times - Europe must not rush to write off ties

5. The Three Pillars of German Power

Merz outlined that Germany's current power rests on three specific pillars: Security, Competitiveness, and Unity.

Reference: WEF Official - Special Address by Friedrich Merz (Session Summary)

6. Reducing Bureaucracy to Lead Europe

Addressing European stagnation, he argued that the EU has become the "world champion of over-regulation" and called for a substantial reduction in bureaucracy to restore entrepreneurial freedom.

Reference: WEF - Live from Davos 2026 Day 4 Highlights

7. Competitiveness as Foreign Policy

He explicitly linked domestic strength to global influence: "Economic competitiveness and the ability to shape global politics are two sides of the same coin."

Reference: WEF - Live from Davos 2026 Day 4 Highlights

8. Alliances Among Equals

Drawing on Germany’s 20th-century history, he noted that the "black abyss" of the past was caused by unilateral power, concluding that strength lies in "partnerships and alliances among equals."

Reference: Straits Times - Merz warns great power politics makes world 'a dangerous place'

9. A "Fast, Dynamic Europe"

He called for a modernized EU budget that puts competitiveness at its center, stating: "We want to have a fast, dynamic Europe."

Reference: WEF - Live from Davos 2026 Day 4 Highlights

10. Shaping Our Own Fate

Closing with a nod to the Enlightenment, Merz asserted that "our fate is in our hands" and that it is the responsibility of democratic leaders to face "harsh realities" with "clear-eyed realism."

Reference: WEF Official - Special Address by Friedrich Merz (Session Summary)

Would you like me to provide a deeper analysis of how his Davos speech compares to his domestic budget speech in the Bundestag?