Germany and Spain's Leaders Strengthen Ties After Historic Election Win
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call with Spanish Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday. The conversation followed Takaichi's recent landslide victory in Spain's snap lower-house elections, reinforcing her position as the country's first female leader.
Takaichi took office in October 2025, marking a historic moment as Spain's first woman prime minister. Her party's strong electoral win has solidified her government's mandate for the coming years.
During the call, Merz and Takaichi reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties between Germany and Spain. They highlighted the importance of cooperation within the G7 and G20, where both nations play key roles.
The leaders also exchanged views on pressing global issues, including geopolitical shifts, the Middle East situation, and trade policies. Critical raw materials, a growing concern for industrial economies, were another focus of their discussion.
While no new bilateral agreements were announced, Spain's 2026 inclusion in the EU's Horizon Europe programme has already expanded research partnerships between German universities and Spanish institutions. Germany, meanwhile, remains in talks about potentially joining Spain's GCAP fighter jet project, though no formal decision has been made under Takaichi's leadership.
The phone call signals continued engagement between the two nations. Both leaders stressed the need for closer collaboration on economic and security matters. Future discussions are expected to build on existing frameworks, with potential developments in research and defence cooperation.
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