Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU alliance, is set to become the country’s next chancellor, replacing center-left Olaf Scholz.

On February 23, Merz declared victory in Germany’s federal parliamentary elections, after preliminary results showed his party securing 28.5% of the vote. This win positions Merz, a veteran conservative politician, as the country’s next leader.

Challenges in Forming a Government

Before taking office, Merz must build a governing coalition, a complex task amid deepening political divisions in Germany. The election results show a surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which secured 20.8% of the vote, while the far-left is also gaining ground.

"Our main task now is to quickly form a government with a majority in parliament. The world will not wait for us, nor will it wait for endless coalition talks. We must act swiftly to do what is right for our country and to restore Germany’s credibility in Europe and the world," Merz said after the election.

From Lawmaker to Germany’s Next Chancellor

Born in rural Sauerland, West Germany, 69-year-old Merz was deeply influenced by conservative values and joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) while still in high school.

After a brief stint in the military, he studied law in Bonn, then the capital of West Germany. He entered European politics in 1989, just as the Berlin Wall fell, and was elected to Germany’s Bundestag in 1994.

Merz quickly built strong ties with Wolfgang Schäuble, the CDU’s former finance minister and a staunch advocate of European integration. With Schäuble’s backing, Merz was once seen as a rising star in the party and a future chancellor candidate.

However, in 2002, he lost a leadership battle to Angela Merkel. Feeling sidelined under Merkel’s CDU leadership, Merz withdrew from parliament in 2009 to become a lawyer and lobbyist. He later led Atlantik-Brücke, an influential transatlantic business and political network, where he strengthened ties with U.S. policymakers and pushed for a major EU-U.S. trade deal (TTIP).

When Merkel stepped down as CDU leader in 2018, Merz seized the opportunity to return to politics. He openly criticized Merkel’s centrist policies, particularly her decision to open Germany’s borders to refugees, which he believes fueled the rise of the far-right AfD.

Determined to shift CDU back to the right, Merz was elected party leader in 2022, positioning himself as the strongest challenger to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Hardline Policies on Immigration, Law, and Security

During his campaign, Merz promised to revive Germany’s economy and restore its global standing, saying he wants to bring back a Germany "we can be proud of" through bold policies.

Among his most hardline proposals:

• Sealing Germany’s borders to undocumented migrants, even those seeking asylum.

• Detaining individuals awaiting deportation to prevent them from disappearing into the system.

• Cracking down on illegal immigration, a move that sparked controversy when he sought AfD support for a tough new immigration law, breaking a long-standing taboo in mainstream German politics.

Merz has also pledged to roll back progressive policies, including:

• Reversing the legalization of cannabis.

• Limiting gender-inclusive language.

• Reviving nuclear energy.

These proposals aim to attract conservative AfD voters but could complicate his efforts to form a coalition with center-left parties like the Greens.

A Rocky Relationship with Trump and the U.S.

Merz has long been seen as Germany’s most U.S.-friendly politician, with deep ties to American business leaders and policymakers. Some German conservatives hope his tough stance on immigration and economic credentials will make him a favorite of U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Merz has some of the best U.S. connections among German politicians. He knows how to get things done," said Thomas Silberhorn, a conservative lawmaker specializing in transatlantic relations.

However, Merz’s rhetoric on the U.S. has shifted in recent weeks. He now warns of growing rifts between Washington and Europe, particularly as Trump rethinks NATO commitments.

"The differences between the U.S. and Europe are widening—not just on defense, but on fundamental views of democracy and open societies," Merz said.

He has also cautioned that Europe must prepare for a future without U.S. military protection, suggesting Germany should consider nuclear security arrangements with France and the UK if Trump weakens NATO.

Germany’s Next Chapter Under Merz

Following his election victory, Merz declared: "My top priority is to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can gradually reduce our dependence on the U.S. for defense."

However, analysts remain uncertain about how Merz will shape the future of the EU and whether his vision for a more independent Europe will succeed.

"Germany must take the lead in this effort. We have to take responsibility, and I am determined to do so," Merz said.

(Sources: France 24, Washington Post, Politico)

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