Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz

Incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz looks on, on the day of the second round of voting to elect the new German chancellor, after he failed to be elected as chancellor in the first voting round, in the German lower house of parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany May 6, 2025. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Merz elected German chancellor after initial shock defeat

His CDU/CSU alliance won February's federal election and secured a coalition deal with the center-left Social Democrats

Designated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) reacts on the day of a session of the German lower house of parliament Bundestag, to elect the new German chancellor, in Berlin, Germany 6 May 2025. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Merz fails to be elected chancellor by German parliament

German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz stands next to Bavarian state premier and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) Markus Soeder after the exit poll results are announced for the 2025 general election, in Berlin, Germany, February 23, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

German election victor Merz plans pivot from US as coalition talks loom

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) gives a statement on the day of a CDU faction meeting at the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, in Berlin, Germany, November 12, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

German opposition's chancellor candidate backs free trade talks with Trump