Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative alliance that won Germany's national election on Sunday, is set to become chancellor and he has made one thing clear: his focus will be achieving "real independence" from the U.

Donald Trump may end up drawing down the American troops who have guaranteed German security for 80 years and slapping tariffs on the country’s exports. Although an election held on February 23rd will probably result in a centrist coalition taking power under the leadership of the conservative Friedrich Merz.

Triumphant CDU leader hits out at Washington and calls for stronger European security amid attempts to build government.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's mainstream conservatives, has said that Europe must become independent from the United States in security matters, after his grouping won the biggest share of the vote in federal elections.

Europe must seek to “achieve independence” from the United States, Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said after his opposition conservatives won elections on Sunday, in a vote that also saw surging support for the far-right.

Germany’s Friedrich Merz has pledged to achieve “independence” from the United States after his centre-right alliance won parliamentary elections held amid doubts about US President Donald Trump’s commitment to Europe’s security.

Not so long ago, European corporate bosses were worried about missing out on the “Trump bump”. U.S. President Donald Trump’s November victory briefly supercharged the long-running outperformance of the world’s largest economy and stock market,

Germany's likely next Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned on Sunday whether NATO would remain in its "current form" by June in light of comments by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, and said Europe must quickly establish an independent defence capability.

Germany's likely next Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned on Sunday whether NATO would remain in its "current form" by June in light of the comments by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, and that Europe must quickly establish an independent defence capability.

President Donald Trump praised German conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz's victory in the national election on Sunday, ousting current Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union in Germany, wasted no time after his party's victory in national elections warning about the dangers posed by President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk.

Friedrich Merz said that Europe needed to “achieve independence from the United States, step by step.” That won’t be easy, for Europe or for the United States.