CDU head Merz questioned the U.S. presence at the anniversary of Germany's NATO membership

Friedrich Merz, head of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, said on Thursday that the United States risked sliding into authoritarian instability, casting doubt on Washington's presence at a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Germany's NATO membership in May. Reuters reported on Feb. 20 that.

"I hope they (the United States - Ed.) will remain democratic and not slip into an authoritarian populist system," he said at a campaign event in Darmstadt.

That said, Mertz said, if the U.S. chooses the path of democracy, it will need partners.

"But it may happen that America enters a longer period of instability and that this populism, this autocratic behavior of heads of state will continue for a longer period of time," he said.

In addition, Merz expressed uncertainty about the possibility of celebrating the 70th anniversary of Germany's NATO membership.

"Will the Americans stay there? Eight weeks ago I would not have dared to ask this question, but today we must answer it," he urged.

To Munich with its samovar: the U.S. decided to help the far-right on the eve of the Bundestag elections

Vice President Vance has intervened in German politics

The Trump administration has repeatedly expressed support for the Alternative for Germany (AdG) party . Thus, on February 14, at the Munich Security Conference, the Vice President of the United States JD Vance met with the leader of the German political force Alice Weidel. At the same time, he declined to speak with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz. He also criticized the European Union in his speech at the event.

In addition, the American entrepreneur and head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Ilon Musk, often speaks in favor of the AdG. On February 1, the billionaire called the AdG the country's only hope, and last December he said that only this party could be the salvation for Germany.