Friedrich Merz leads CDU to strong election showing as he aims for Chancellor of Germany

Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU party, is poised to become Chancellor of Germany after his party secured 29% of the vote in the February 23 election. This marks a significant comeback for Merz, who left politics nearly 20 years ago. Merz's political journey began in school, but he stepped back after losing a power struggle to Angela Merkel. He later worked in the private sector before returning to lead the CDU in 2021, shifting the party's focus away from Merkel's centrist policies. Now, Merz faces the challenge of forming a coalition government, which may take weeks. He has ruled out partnering with the far-right AfD and is considering various coalition options, including a potential alliance with the SPD or the Greens.