Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz is a German politician who has served as Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since January 2022 and led the CDU/CSU (Union) parliamentary group as well as being Leader of the Opposition in the Bundestag since February 2022. In September 2024, he became the Union's candidate for Chancellor of Germany ahead of the 2025 federal election. With the CDU winning the most seats in the election, Merz is projected to become the next Chancellor.
Germany's parliament passes historic package boosting defence spending
Friedrich Merz needed the support of two-thirds..
German CDU leader Friedrich Merz 'resolute and determined' says former EU chief
Merz’s Conservative CDU emerged as the..
Top candidates cast their votes on German federal election day
Incumbent Chancellor Scholz and CDU leader Merz cast..
