From left, Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union Friedrich Merz, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, panel moderator Katarzyna Pisarska and Czech

Germany's conservative election frontrunner Friedrich Merz pledged a stronger role for Berlin in the EU and muscular support for Ukraine as he outlined his foreign policy vision at the Munich

Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, reacts to the speech of Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, at the party head

Friedrich Merz, with the microphone, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, shakes hands with Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, at the party headquarters in Berlin,

Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, applauds while Friedrich Merz, right, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, addresses supporter

With the Alternative for Germany waiting on the sidelines, any new German government coalition must hang together or hang separately.

Friedrich Merz, a man who has never held a government role, is preparing to take the reins in Germany just as the country faces its biggest economic and diplomatic crises in decades and Europe looks urgently for a new generation of leaders for an era of transatlantic tension.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s center-right Christian Democrats, who finished first in Sunday’s election, has vowed “real independence from the USA” as he sets about

Sunday’s federal election in Germany was historic for more than one reason. After the collapse of the so-called ‘traffic light’ coalition under chancellor Olaf Scholz, it was only the fourth time

Germany once again has the luxury of forming a government from the political centre without major obstacles. Read more at straitstimes.com.

German voters cast their ballots in Sunday’s election, with opposition leader Friedrich Merz claiming victory and Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceding defeat. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is heading for the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II.

After winning the German election, the conservative leader must navigate a new era without Washington as a close ally.