Merz rules out far-right coalition while considering center-left partnerships in Germany

Germany's Friedrich Merz has ruled out a coalition with the far-right AfD party but is open to partnering with center-left parties like the Social Democrats or the Greens. His comments follow a meeting between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and AfD candidate Alice Weidel. Merz also expressed doubts about a coalition with the Free Democratic Party, which is struggling to secure enough votes for representation. Currently, Merz's CDU and CSU parties lead in polls with about 30 percent support, while the AfD follows at 21 percent. The election is set for February 23.