The Power to Say No: Merz's Vision for a Sovereign Europe (legrandcontinent.eu)

• Merz praises Draghi as euro savior and calls for 'Draghi-approved' EU budget.
• He rejects new EU common debt, invoking Wolfgang Schäuble's legacy.
• The speech prioritizes defense and competitiveness, with strong support for Ukraine.

"In a Charlemagne Prize laudatio for Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined a conservative vision for European sovereignty. He praised Draghi's ECB presidency and called for a 'Draghi-approved' EU budget focused on competitiveness and defense, while rejecting common debt. Merz channeled Wolfgang Schäuble's ordoliberal legacy, proposing a leaner, more disciplined EU budget. He also reaffirmed support for Ukraine and stressed Europe must become a power capable of defending its interests. The speech signals Germany's continued fiscal conservatism despite recent debt brake reform."