Friedrich Merz wins German election and aims to form coalition government

Friedrich Merz has won the German election with less than 30 percent of the vote. He now faces the challenge of forming a coalition government. Merz aims to revive the economy and tighten immigration controls. Merz plans to return to the conservative roots of his Christian Democratic Union party. He intends to ease business regulations and oppose undocumented migration. His views contrast with those of former Chancellor Angela Merkel. As head of the opposition CDU/CSU, Merz has criticized the outgoing government led by Olaf Scholz. He has also faced backlash for accepting support from the far-right AfD party on immigration issues.