Friedrich Merz, who is poised to become Germany's chancellor in a CDU-led government, has extensive experience as a lawyer and working with major corporations.

Friedrich Merz, whose conservative party is ahead in polls before Sunday’s election, sees an “epochal rupture” with a United States that is more aligned with Russia.

Germany's conservative leader Friedrich Merz said on Thursday the U.S. was at risk of sliding into longer-term authoritarian instability, casting doubt on Washington's presence for Germany’s 70th NATO membership anniversary in May.

With just two weeks to go (Feb 23 rd ) will the German elections, a number of new, national polls underline the lead of the CDU (31%), with the AfD holding second