From left, Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union Friedrich Merz, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, panel moderator Katarzyna Pisarska and Czech

Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, reacts to the speech of Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, at the party head

Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, reacts to the speech of Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, at the party head

Friedrich Merz, a man who has never held a government role, is preparing to take the reins in Germany just as the country faces its biggest economic and diplomatic crises in decades and Europe looks urgently for a new generation of leaders for an era of transatlantic tension.

Which is why Merz's idea of reshaping policies vis-à-vis security is worth cherishing for not only his own country but also the whole of Europe. It's clear that Europe needs to end its long dependence on the US, step up building its own defense capabilities, and even find an alternative to NATO if necessary.

Friedrich Merz, a man who has never held a government ... with which Paris was awaiting Merz's arrival. Last weekend's Munich Security Conference saw him doing the rounds of European leaders ...

After winning the German election, the conservative leader must navigate a new era without Washington as a close ally.

Sunday’s federal election in Germany was historic for more than one reason. After the collapse of the so-called ‘traffic light’ coalition under chancellor Olaf Scholz, it was only the fourth time

The victory in the general elections in Germany was expected to be won by the CDU/CSU bloc. He will be asked to form a new government of the country. The new chancellor of Germany will be the leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz — a man hated by Angela Merkel.