Friedrich Merz, on course to become post-World War II Germany's 10th chancellor after the country's election, 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.

Friedrich Merz is on course to become post-World War II Germany’s 10th chancellor, the culmination of a yearslong political career that was once sidelined by his party’s iconic leader

Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU has won the February 23 parliamentary elections, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) securing second place, according to preliminary results. According to CNN,

Germany’s election continues a slump for left-leaning parties in affluent countries, often connected to immigration and the economy. Those two issues helped Trump win the presidency. In Canada, Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation. In much of the Europe, the far right has become more popular.

Germany's Robert Habeck, who had run in Sunday's election as the chancellor candidate for the environmentalist Greens, said he would no longer take a leading role in his party after what he described as a disappointing result.

People hold signs in support of German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz, during the 2025 general election, at the CDU party headquarters in Berlin,