Friedrich Merz calls for European independence from US influence in election campaign

Friedrich Merz, poised to become Germany's next chancellor, criticized U.S. influence in European affairs, particularly targeting Elon Musk's support for the far-right AfD party during the election. He called for European independence from the U.S. Merz's conservative CDU/CSU party won 208 seats in the Bundestag, while the AfD secured 152 seats, marking its best performance. The Social Democrats won 120 seats, and the Left party got 64. Merz aims to form a government by Easter and has ruled out a coalition with the AfD. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz will remain in office until a new government is established.