Friedrich Merz wins German election, faces coalition challenges

Following the recent national election, German conservatives led by Friedrich Merz are determined to form a government amid challenging coalition talks and an obstructive parliament dominated by far-right and far-left parties. Merz's CDU/CSU bloc secured over 28% of the vote, defeating Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD), who suffered a historic low of 16%. The surge of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), achieving around 20%, complicates coalition dynamics as they and the radical Left Party control one-third of parliamentary seats, blocking crucial constitutional changes needed to revive Germany's economy. Merz is expected to pursue a coalition with the SPD, despite deep policy divides, particularly over migration. He has also expressed concerns about U.S. foreign policy under President Trump and emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its defenses. Time is of the essence for Merz, as he aims to establish a stable government quickly to address pressing economic and geopolitical challenges.