Germany's new leader warns NATO's future is uncertain before June summit

Germany's likely new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, warned that NATO may not exist in its current form by the next summit in June. He cited Donald Trump's indifference to Europe as a major concern for the alliance's future. Merz emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities independently. He criticized recent American interventions in German politics, comparing them to Russian election interference. In the recent election, Merz's Christian Democratic Union won 28.6% of the vote, while the far-right Alternative for Germany secured 20.8%. Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz's party received only 16.4%, marking a historic low.