Here's Germany's anti-Trump Trump
Two books on the east-west divisions he faces
The Big Story:
The curtain has gone up on a hinge moment in history for Germany. The election thrust a mix of actors and issues to the fore and put the spotlight on east-west political faultlines from the Cold War era.
The leading man on the stage of Europe’s biggest economy is incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz.1 He has hit back hard at the Trump administration’s savage criticism of Europe. Merz looks set to assume the role of Germany and Europe’s anti-Trump Trump.
Like Trump:
Merz professes passionate admiration for America and for Ronald Reagan, as well as profound scepticism of government intervention. He often quotes Reagan: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help’.”
He is a free marketeer who has worked in the private sector and prizes American-style red-blooded capitalism.
Merz is hailed by supporters as a “back to the roots” leader and is prone to populist b…
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