German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany is not a ball in the hands of superpowers and suggested that the coming year could be decisive for the country. This was mentioned in his first New Year’s address to citizens as head of government, the text of which was published by the portal Tagesschau.

“We are not victims of external circumstances. We are not a ball to be played with by the great powers,” the Chancellor said.

He also noted that 2026 could be a decisive year for Germany and Europe, marking the beginning of decades of peace, freedom, and prosperity with renewed strength.