Merz campaigns for military readiness in Medebach and honors the Bundeswehr's public oath

Security situation and Russia's war of aggression

Merz underscored the changed security policy situation. "Nicht nur unsere europäische Friedensordnung ist unter Druck, unsere Welt ist insgesamt unfriedlicher und unsicherer geworden." Russia is waging "mitten in Europa einen völkerrechtswidrigen Angriffskrieg". Germany and Europe are exposed to hybrid threats on a daily basis: "Wir sehen in Deutschland und Europa täglich hybride Angriffe auf unsere Infrastruktur, Spionage, Sabotage, Cyberangriffe, Drohnenüberflüge, Desinformationskampagnen".

The Chancellor linked his assessment of the situation with a clear call for rearmament. "Die Bereitschaft von Soldatinnen und Soldaten, Freiheit und Demokratie zu verteidigen - im Ernstfall auch mit dem eigenen Leben - sorge erst dafür, dass man wirklich abschreckungs- und verteidigungsfähig sei." In a second quote, he also emphasized: "Frieden und Freiheit gebe es nicht kostenlos." Defense capability is not an end in itself, but serves deterrence: "Wir wollen uns verteidigen können, damit wir uns nicht verteidigen müssen. Wir nennen das Abschreckung."

Rearmament, military service and the defense industry

Merz named more concretely a series of measures already underway. The Bundeswehr is growing according to an "ambitionierten Zeitplan", the number of reservists is being increased, and thanks also to the new military service, more soldiers are being recruited "mit hoher Geschwindigkeit". "Der Motor unserer Verteidigungsindustrie ist wieder angesprungen", said the Chancellor. The strengthening of the armed forces has a clear focus on national and alliance defense.

Merz, who said he is 70 years old, also expressed the political leadership's and the population's support for the troops. "Die Bundesregierung und die deutsche Bevölkerung stehen hinter Ihnen." The Bundeswehr and its soldiers stand "in der Mitte unserer Gesellschaft". Today's service takes place "unter veränderten sicherheitspolitischen Vorzeichen".

Symbolism at the market square

The event in Medebach was part of a series of public oaths through which the Bundeswehr wants to maintain a visible presence in towns and municipalities. The stage at the market square and the participation of hundreds of citizens underscored the symbolic power that Merz took up in his speech. Panzer Brigade 21 "Lipperland" is stationed in Augustdorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, and is one of the Army's major formations.

With a view to the European partners, Merz formulated the demand "die größten Kraftanstrengungen zu leisten für unsere Abschreckungs- und Verteidigungsfähigkeit". He described the ongoing investments as necessary contributions to German, European, and transatlantic security. Coverage of the event was broadcast on 14 June 2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program; the news agency dpa provided the report.

The public oath itself is a ceremonial act in which soldiers reaffirm their service to the Basic Law. It usually takes place as part of basic training and is not identical with the start of service. In Medebach, the ceremonial part was combined with a key policy speech that the Chancellor said he explicitly wanted to be understood as a declaration of commitment to military readiness.