Merz calls for swift government formation to restore Germany's role in Europe

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative CDU party, emphasized the need for a swift government formation. He stated that the world is not waiting for prolonged coalition talks and urged for a strong parliamentary majority to restore Germany's presence in Europe. Recent polling shows Merz's conservatives at nearly 30%, leading the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) at just under 20%. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) follow with 16.2%, a result described as "catastrophic" by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Merz's comments reflect a push for decisive action amid a shifting political landscape in Germany, highlighting the urgency for effective governance.