The Latest Breaking News from Friedrich Merz

Germany’s center-left Social Democrats have voted to approve a coalition agreement

This blog has now closed. You can find all our coverage of Ukraine here

German election winner Friedrich Merz’s party has approved an agreement to form a coalition government with a center-left rival

First individual ministry for digital affairs in Germany.

Seven ministries will go to the CDU, seven to the SPD and three to the CSU. It is now clear who the CDU and CSU want to send to the cabinet as ministers.

Germany's next foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, is a former soldier, trained lawyer and conservative MP who has long been a strong supporter of military backing for Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion.

Recent proposals put forward in countries such as Sweden, Finland and Germany reflect wider shift, say analysts

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has topped a national poll for the first time, prompting the popular Bild newspaper to carry the headline: “AfD breaks the magic barrier”. The poll put the AfD on 26% and the Christian democratic CDU/CSU on 25%.

While Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is already plagued by criticism and sinking poll numbers at home, his EU partners are eagerly awaiting him on the Brussels scene. They expect him to replace the dullness of his predecessor with strong leadership - and Merz is willing to deliver.