Having led his party, the Christian Democrats, to first place in Germany’s election last month, Mr. Merz swiftly assumed the mantle of chancellor-in-waiting. He urged the country to move quickly to address the challenges, both domestic and foreign, that threaten to overwhelm it. “The world,” he said, “is not waiting for us.”

Friedrich Merz — the leader of the victorious Christian Democratic Union-Christian Social Union alliance — is a U.S.-loving former lawyer but he may clash with President Donald Trump, as Merz is a fierce defender of Europe and NATO.

EXCLUSIVE: As Germany is set to get a new chancellor, an acclaimed documentary examines the leadership and legacy of a previous chancellor – Angela Merkel. The former head of the Christian Democratic Union,

Its economic model is broken, its self-confidence shattered and its political landscape fractured. Europe’s former growth engine

Friedrich Merz has emerged victorious in a general election which saw dramatic changes in German politics – but given that his party is responsible for many of the country’s problems, a radical about turn looks unlikely,

Friedrich Merz, a conservative rival of Angela Merkel, is on track to become the next chancellor, though the far-right AfD is expected to make historic gains.

Friedrich Merz, head of the conservative Christian Democrats, has vowed to bring stronger leadership to Europe, where the new Trump administration has sowed anxiety.

Germany’s economy is at a breaking point, and one controversial rule may be responsible - the debt brake. This strict policy, introduced in 2009, prevents Germany from borrowing more than 0.35% of its GDP per year,

The leader of the victorious CDU, Friedrich Merz, has a checkered history in German politics — from challenging Angela Merkel, to retiring to the business world, to causing controversy by aligning with the far right.

He has vowed to prioritize European unity and the continent’s security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia’s war on Ukraine.