Friedrich Merz wins German election but faces challenges in coalition talks

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative CDU/CSU, won the election with over 28% of the vote but faces challenges in forming a coalition government. His party outperformed Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats, who received 16%. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a record 20%, complicating coalition talks. Merz must negotiate with former rivals and establish a governing platform amid a divided society and a struggling economy. Despite the challenges, Merz aims to strengthen Europe's defense and maintain support for Ukraine. He and other parties have committed to excluding the AfD from power.