Germany, Friedrich Merz

The Latest: Opposition leader Merz's headed to form Germany's next government
Germany's mainstream conservatives have won the country's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the country's second-largest party.
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Exit polls show Merz in the lead while AfD makes historic gains in Germany election
Outgoing German chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded the election and decried the historic gains of the far-right conservative party, AfD. Early exit polls show AfD is headed for second place, while opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives are in the lead and Scholz’s party fell to third.
Who is Friedrich Merz, the man now most likely to lead Germany? Eight things to know
The centre-right CDU has emerged as the biggest party in the German election, making Merz the most likely to lead a government, following coalition negotiations.
German elections: CDU’s Merz looks set to be next chancellor as far-right AfD surges
Millions of Germans are voting in snap elections. The centre-right CDU is predicted to win the biggest share of votes, putting its leader Friedrich Merz in pole position to be next chancellor. Follow live updates.
Merz leads in Germany’s election while AfD makes historic gains | AP Explains
Germany has voted — and the exit polls show opposition leader Friedrich Merz and his Conservative Party on course for a lackluster victory in Sunday’s election.
Germany shifts right as Merz's conservatives secure election victory
Germany is set for a shift to the right after the conservative CDU/CSU bloc secured a clear victory in Sunday's elections, as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) recorded its best-ever performance.
Germany election LIVE: AfD sends chilling warning to Merz
The centre-right Christian Democrats are currently expected to win, while polls suggest Alternative for Germany (AfD) is poised to achieve the best result for a far-right party since WW2.
German leader Scholz, opposition frontrunner Merz cast votes
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his top rival, the opposition frontrunner Friedrich Merz, cast their votes on Sunday morning (February 23) in a national election that is expected to restore power to Merz's conservatives,
Merz likely to be next German leader after Scholz concedes election loss
Friedrich Merz is likely to become Germany’s next leader after his conservative party topped the voting in national elections held Sunday, according to exit polls. Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat.
The Latest: Merz wins Germany's election while AfD makes historic gains
German voters cast their ballots in Sunday’s election, with opposition leader Friedrich Merz claiming victory. Exit polls ...
Germany's Merz faces tricky talks with potential coalition ally
Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz will start trying to form a coalition government on Monday after his ...
Merz warns Europe should seek ‘independence’ from US after conservatives win German election - and far-right support surges
Europe must seek to “achieve independence” from the United States, Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said after ...
Conservative leader Friedrich Merz headed for Germany’s top job after a career of ups and downs
The 69-year-old head of the center-right Union bloc, which won the country’s national election with 28.6 percent of the votes, has by far the best chance of forming a new government.
Likely next German chancellor Merz questions NATO's future in 'current form'
Germany's likely next Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned on Sunday whether NATO would remain in its "current form" by June ...
‘Time for Germany’: What is AfD, and how has the anti-immigrant party gained in Europe's richest nation?
Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged to become the countrys second-largest political party, marking a dramatic rise in ...
The Latest: Opposition leader Merz headed to form Germany's next government
Germany's mainstream conservatives won the country's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the nation's second-largest party, according to provisional results following Sunday's ...
Germany Election Results: Center-Right Leader Declares Victory—And Elon Musk-Boosted AfD Celebrates
Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) declared victory Sunday as exit polls and early results suggest the ...