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A New Chapter for Europe: The Significance of Germany's Recent Election

Connor Banks
Feb 24
3 min read

The results of Germany's recent federal election mark a pivotal moment for Europe. As the European Union (EU) faces unprecedented challenges, from Russian aggression to shifting dynamics with the United States, Germany's political future will play a defining role in shaping the continent’s path. The election outcome, which saw Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) emerge as the leading party, presents both opportunities and challenges for Europe's unity, security, and sovereignty.

Germany at the Helm: A Pro-European Leadership?

Friedrich Merz’s victory, albeit with a historically low margin for the CDU, signals the possibility of renewed leadership in Europe. His emphasis on achieving "real independence" from the United States has the potential to transform the EU into a stronger, more autonomous entity. In an era when the reliability of transatlantic alliances is under question, especially with shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities, this ambition could be exactly what Europe needs.

A more independent Europe does not mean an isolated one. Instead, it suggests a continent capable of defending its own interests, economically resilient, and geopolitically assertive. Germany, as Europe’s largest economy, is uniquely positioned to spearhead this transformation. Merz’s pro-business approach, if balanced correctly, could strengthen the Eurozone, ensuring Europe remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.

The Imperative of European Unity

While the election brought the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to unprecedented prominence, there remains a strong pro-European majority. The rise of right-wing populism serves as a stark reminder of the divisions that threaten European cohesion. However, this moment also provides an opportunity: to reaffirm the EU’s core values of democracy, unity, and solidarity.

Germany's new leadership can counter the forces of fragmentation by championing inclusive policies that address citizens' concerns without compromising European ideals. A coalition government that embraces diversity and integration will send a powerful message: Europe’s future lies in unity, not division.

Security and Sovereignty in an Uncertain World

With Russia’s aggressive posture in Eastern Europe and continued instability at the EU's borders, Europe's security landscape has shifted dramatically. Germany's stance on defence and foreign policy will be instrumental in shaping Europe’s collective response. Merz’s leadership provides an opening to push for deeper European defence cooperation, ensuring that the continent is no longer overly reliant on external powers for its security.

A truly sovereign Europe must be able to defend itself, protect its borders, and project power when necessary. Germany's commitment to strengthening the EU's security framework will be crucial. By investing in shared defence initiatives and supporting NATO, Germany can ensure that Europe remains a pillar of stability in a turbulent world.

Economic Resilience and Energy Independence

Europe’s economic sovereignty is intertwined with its energy independence. The war in Ukraine highlighted the risks of reliance on Russian energy supplies. Merz’s pro-business policies could drive investments in renewable energy and diversify Europe’s energy portfolio, reducing dependence on hostile regimes.

Moreover, a strong German economy will benefit the entire continent. By championing innovation, digital transformation, and green technologies, Germany can lead Europe towards a sustainable and competitive future. Economic strength will provide the EU with the resources and confidence it needs to assert itself on the global stage.

A Vision for Europe's Future

Germany’s recent election has set the stage for a transformative period in European politics. The challenges ahead—security threats from Russia, unpredictable relations with the United States, and internal divisions—are daunting. Yet, they also offer an opportunity to redefine what Europe stands for in the 21st century.

Friedrich Merz’s call for European independence can be the starting point for a stronger, more united EU. One that is capable of defending its values, securing its borders, and asserting its influence globally. For Europe to thrive, it must embrace this moment with determination, unity, and vision.

The future of Europe is being written now. With Germany at the helm, there is every reason to believe that it will be a future defined by strength, sovereignty, and solidarity. The time has come for Europe to stand tall—independent, united, and ready to face whatever lies ahead.

The End of the Safety Net: Why Slashing Farm Subsidies Could Threaten the UK’s Food Future

All Articles

16 April 2025

Paul Francis

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Not only do UK farmers now face the looming threat of inheritance tax reforms that could force centuries-old family farms to be sold off - but they’re also contending with a policy shift that dismantles the very foundation of their economic stability: the withdrawal of direct farm subsidies.

A black-and-white cow grazes on a lush, green field with a dense forest in the background. The scene is peaceful and natural.

In a time of global instability - wars in Europe and the Middle East, disrupted trade routes, volatile commodity markets - the UK government is removing financial safeguards that have underpinned British agriculture for decades. And it’s doing so faster than many in the industry can adapt.

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), a direct subsidy paid to farmers under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), is in its final years. By 2027, it will be completely gone. In its place: a complex, tiered system of environmental schemes under the umbrella of the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS). Worthy in theory, but in practice? A mess of bureaucracy, delays, and shortfalls.

And the timing couldn’t be worse.

A Lifeline Cut-Off Before the Bridge Was Built

The BPS wasn’t perfect, but it provided one essential function - it kept farms afloat. Payments were calculated based on the amount of land farmed, offering predictability and a cashflow buffer that allowed British farms to invest in new equipment, manage seasonal fluctuations, and ride out the weather, both literal and economic.

Now, payments have been rapidly reduced. By 2024, many farmers had already lost 35%–50% of their BPS income. In 2025, a new cap of £7,200 per farm will apply. That’s a fraction of the £20,000 to £50,000 mid-size farms previously received.

The replacement - ELMS - promises payments for "public goods": improving soil health, reducing carbon emissions, boosting biodiversity. Laudable aims. But ask most farmers, and they’ll tell you: they don’t object to sustainability. What they object to is the speed and scale of the transition, and the fact that the new payments often don’t come close to replacing what’s being lost.

Environmental Schemes: Aspirations Without Infrastructure

At the core of ELMS are three tiers:

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): Encourages low-level changes such as herbal leys, no-till farming, and reducing fertiliser use.
Local Nature Recovery: Pays for habitat restoration and targeted environmental actions.
Landscape Recovery: Funds large-scale, long-term ecosystem restoration, often in collaboration with multiple landowners.

But uptake has been patchy at best. As of late 2024, fewer than half of eligible farms had enrolled in any ELMS scheme. Why?

The schemes are confusing. Farmers must navigate different options, overlapping rules, and constant revisions.
The application process is time-consuming and opaque.
Payments under SFI are often insufficient, especially for mixed or livestock farms in upland areas where land-use change is more difficult.
Crucially, many tenanted farmers - nearly a third of all farms in England - face legal and logistical barriers to taking part.

DEFRA has promised streamlining. But meanwhile, farmers are left in limbo - without clear income streams, but still expected to feed the nation.

The Cost of Poor Policy Timing

Agricultural experts, rural economists, and even major retailers have raised alarm bells. In a scathing 2023 report, the National Audit Office warned that DEFRA had failed to communicate the changes effectively, leaving many in the dark about what the new schemes offer.

The NFU (National Farmers’ Union) has repeatedly called on the government to pause BPS cuts until ELMS is fully functioning, but those calls have largely been ignored. In late 2024, a coalition of MPs from all parties demanded a review, warning that this abrupt withdrawal of support could lead to an exodus from the industry.

And that’s not just a theoretical risk. A nationwide NFU survey found that 11% of farmers were considering leaving farming altogether due to the combined impact of reduced subsidies, labour shortages, and rising costs.

Food Security in an Uncertain World

This isn’t just a farming problem - it’s a national one.

The UK is already heavily reliant on imports for key food items. And with international trade routes threatened by conflict in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, supply chains are becoming more fragile by the month.

Should we really be cutting back our domestic food production capacity now?

Government ambitions to rewild 10% of farmland, promote biodiversity, and shift toward carbon sequestration may look good on a whiteboard in Whitehall. But on the ground, it’s leading to reduced livestock numbers, lower domestic output, and a growing dependence on foreign markets that may not be as reliable as once assumed.

A Dangerous Gamble

To many farmers, this feels like an ideological experiment being conducted in real-time -with their livelihoods and our food supply on the line. And as supermarket CEOs and farming groups increasingly speak out, it’s clear this isn’t just grumbling from the shires. It’s a cry of alarm from the foundation of the UK’s food system.

Environmental ambition is important. Climate change is real. But so is hunger.

We can pursue sustainability - but not by pulling the rug out from under those who feed us. The government’s subsidy reform may have noble aims, but its execution is flawed, its timeline reckless, and its consequences potentially devastating.

If we want a resilient, secure food future, we must support the people who make it possible - not push them to the brink.