"We remember where this leads": Europe alarmed by Germany
Europe is expressing alarm over Germany's rapid rearmament amid the rising popularity of the pro-Russian Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon have voiced concerns. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has allocated over half a trillion dollars for the military. Analysts fear a shift in the balance of power and a possible rapprochement between Berlin and Moscow.
Europe is expressing growing alarm over Germany's rapid rearmament, which is occurring against the backdrop of the historic success of the right-wing pro-Russian Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in elections in eastern Germany. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated: "We well remember what an armed Germany under a pro-Russian right-wing party can lead to." French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon also expressed concern about plans to create "the largest conventional army in Europe." Chancellor Friedrich Merz has allocated over half a trillion dollars for the armed forces over the next decade. Analysts fear that even without AfD involvement, Germany and Russia could become the two largest powers in Europe, and Berlin may move closer to the Kremlin in the future. Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated: "Germany didn't need Hitler to be anti-Polish." The 2027 budget draft allocates €139.6 billion for defense spending—a new high since the Cold War. The article references The Wall Street Journal and quotes several European politicians and analysts.