Germany’s new leader may face Trump with one hand tied behind his back
Friedrich Merz faces urgent economic and geopolitical crises. But to form a coalition he needs to turn foes into friends – and that will make it hard to govern.
London | Germans are set to dump socialist chancellor Olaf Scholz in Sunday’s federal election and install a conservative former BlackRock executive, Friedrich Merz, as leader – but he will have to govern in a potentially fractious and unstable coalition with the left.
Merz’s Christian Democratic Union is almost certain to top the vote, having consistently polled at or above 30 per cent for the past year. He has vowed to get tough on immigration, ease off on green policies, and cut taxes and red tape.
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Hans van Leeuwen covers British and European politics, economics and business from London. He has worked as a reporter, editor and policy adviser in Sydney, Canberra, Hanoi and London. Connect with Hans on Twitter. Email Hans at hans.vanleeuwen@afr.com
