In a recent interview with The Economist, Friedrich Merz, who is likely soon to be chancellor of Germany, said that there would be no return to Russian gas “for the time being”, but conspicuously failed to rule out the possibility.

The CDU’s Friedrich Merz said Sunday night that his top priority is to unify Europe in the face of challenges coming from the U.S. and Russia.

Germans voted for a change of leadership on Sunday, with historically reliable exit polls from a parliamentary election showing centrist conservatives in the lead and the far right in second. The results amounted to a rebuke of the nation’s left-leaning government for its handling of the economy and immigration. That almost certainly means the country’s next chancellor will be Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democrats. But he will need at least one or two coalition partners to govern. “We have won it,” Mr. Merz told supporters in Berlin on Sunday evening, promising to swiftly form a majority to govern the country and restore strong German leadership in Europe. “The outside world is not waiting for us,” he added. “And it is also not waiting for lengthy coalition talks and negotiations.” The election, which was held seven months ahead of schedule after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition, will now become an essential part of the European response to President Trump’s new world order. It drew what appeared to be the highest turnout in decades. Mr. Merz has promised to crack down on migrants and slash taxes and business regulations in a bid to kick-start economic growth. He also vowed to bring stronger leadership in Europe at a moment when the new Trump administration has sowed anxiety on the continent by scrambling traditional alliances and embracing Russia. Exit polls showed his Christian Democrats and their sister party, the Christian Social Union, winning a combined 29 percent of the vote. The far-right Alternative for Germany, known as the AfD, appeared to be in second place. On Sunday evening, suspense ran high about the coalition that Mr. Merz might be able to assemble. Smaller parties could play a key role. Like other German party leaders, Mr. Merz has promised never to partner with the AfD, parts of which are classified as extremist by German intelligence. Elevating the AfD: The AfD, with its anti-immigrant and nationalist platform, has long been a pariah of German politics. A new band of influencers unafraid of confrontation had helped push the Alternative for Germany party to second place in pre-election polls. Jim Tankersley is the Berlin bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More about Jim Tankersley Christopher F. Schuetze is a reporter for The Times based in Berlin, covering politics, society and culture in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More about Christopher F. Schuetze Melissa Eddy is based in Berlin and reports on Germany’s politics, businesses and its economy. More about Melissa Eddy A New Chinese Embassy: Britain appears ready to approve what would be the largest diplomatic outpost in Europe, but neighbors and activists in London fear tapped phone lines and suppressed protests. Greenland’s Big Moment: Ignored for most of its existence, the huge ice-bound island has been thrust into a geopolitical maelstrom. It’s trying to make the most of it. Cambodia’s Art Come Home: Foreign institutions and collectors are returning artifacts with deep spiritual meaning. But where and how to display them remain open questions. One Lake, Two Worlds: The Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu offers leisure. Across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the lake was recently the site of devastation after a rebel offensive. Okinawa, Caught Between Two Powers: Residents of the Japanese island see U.S. bases as a legacy of war, but younger generations also worry about a threat from China.

Conservative party leader Friedrich Merz is poised to become Germany's next chancellor. He's long been a transatlanticist, but has made clear he's no fan of US President Donald Trump.

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

FRIEDRICH MERZ: (Speaking German). SCHMITZ: Friedrich Merz staunchly stood up for Europe and said he has no illusions about Russia. Merz will likely become Germany's next chancellor. NORBERT ROTTGEN: He has always been a - I would say a conviction politician.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's mainstream conservatives, has said that Europe must become independent from the United States in security matters, after his grouping won the biggest share of the vote in federal elections.

Friedrich Merz Targeted by Pro-Russian Disinformation ... Merz, a backer of Ukraine in its war with Russia, leads ahead of Sunday's vote but has lost ground to the second-placed Alternative ...

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.

Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) said on Wednesday they had agreed to start talks on a possible coalition with Friedrich Merz's conservatives but stressed their support was not automatic and hit out at his negotiating style.