The Latest Breaking News from SPD

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.

European allies cheered the CDU leader's announcement, while a key would-be coalition partner appeared to try to argue against the suggestion.

With the country enveloped in gloom and facing mayhem from the US and Russia, it’s hard to imagine a more fraught time to take power, says author John Kampfner

Germany's next leader Friedrich Merz vowed Wednesday to "move the country forward again" by boosting the economy and spending on defence as he presented a deal to launch his coalition government by early next month.

Germany's chancellor in waiting promises an end to instability and to make the country more competitive.

Two of the country’s biggest parties freeze out rightwing AfD and prepare for impact of Trump’s new tariffs

Germany's next leader, the conservative Friedrich Merz, vowed Wednesday to "move the country forward again" by boosting the economy and defence as he presented a deal to launch his coalition government by early next month.

Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats are lagging behind the Conservatives and the Alternative for Germany, according to the survey

Presumed future chancellor says coalition has ‘strong plan’ after negotiations as polling shows popularity of far-right AfD