Merz warns rules‑based order has vanished

At the Munich Security Conference, Friedrich Merz warned that the post‑war rules‑based order that underpinned global stability has effectively collapsed. He said the surge of great‑power rivalry leaves freedoms increasingly uncertain.
Merz urged European nations to bolster their own defence capabilities and to seek a renewed collective framework that can protect democratic values. He cautioned that without decisive action, the world risks slipping into chaos.

For everyday citizens, the erosion of a stable, rules‑based system could mean higher energy prices, disrupted trade routes and reduced security guarantees, affecting jobs, travel and personal safety in their daily lives.

The warning signals a shift in geopolitics that could reshape alliances, trade agreements and defence spending, prompting governments and businesses to reassess risk strategies and investment plans for the coming decade.