CDU/CSU wins German election and prepares for coalition talks

Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU union won the recent German election and will begin coalition talks on Monday. They need to partner with other parties to form a government, as they lack the majority of seats. The CDU/CSU is expected to form a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Merz has ruled out working with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is now the second-largest party. Merz is likely to become the next chancellor once a coalition is established. The German president will then present the coalition's candidate for a vote in the Bundestag.