Friedrich Merz 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​.

As expected, Friedrich Merz is set to become the next German chancellor after his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) won one of the tightest and highest-turnout elections in the country’s postwar history.

The likely next chancellor is unpopular, and his country’s economy has stalled. But his penchant for risks could help lead to a European showdown with President Trump.

Germany’s mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won the country’s national election, ensuring that Ukraine has an even stronger supporter in the European Union’s largest country and

Merz expressed concern over changing relations with Washington under the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from the U.S.

Germany's conservative CDU leader Friedrich Merz welcomed on Monday the interest shown by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in improving ties with Europe, adding that the two had spoken several time in the last few weeks.

After his election win on Sunday, Friedrich Merz is set to take charge of Europe’s biggest economy with the US defense umbrella looking shakier than any time since the NATO alliance was founded and Donald Trump is discussing the continent’s security with Vladimir Putin.