Context:

Friedrich Merz, set to become Germany's chancellor, is stepping into a leadership role amid significant national and international challenges. His tenure begins with Germany facing a stagnant economy, strained relations with the US, and rising popularity of the extremist nationalist party, Alternative for Germany (AfD). Despite breaking some campaign promises, including fiscal restraint and asylum seeker policies, Merz attempts to address these challenges by reshaping Germany's defense and immigration strategies. He has faced criticism for his seeming unpredictability and loss of support among conservative voters, which has affected his popularity in polls. His stance on trans-Atlantic relations, particularly his critiques of the Trump administration, reflects his understanding of global shifts and the necessity for European leadership in security matters.

Dive Deeper:

• Friedrich Merz returns from the private sector to become Germany's chancellor at 69, amid a challenging period since reunification, characterized by a stagnant economy and deteriorating US relations.

• The rise of the nationalist and anti-immigrant party, Alternative for Germany, classified as extremist by domestic intelligence, presents a major political challenge as it gains traction in polls against Merz's Christian Democrats.

• Merz's leadership style involves bold but controversial decisions, such as breaking campaign promises on fiscal restraint to increase defense spending and reversing pledges on immigration policies, which have caused friction within his conservative base.

• Despite criticism of his seemingly inconsistent strategies, supporters view Merz as a flexible and thoughtful politician prepared to address Germany's pressing issues like growth, defense, and immigration.

• Merz's relationship with the US is strained due to his criticism of President Trump and the perceived instability of American democracy, prompting him to advocate for European self-reliance in security, while maintaining strong trans-Atlantic ties.

• His political career was marked by a return from corporate law after Angela Merkel's departure, leveraging his Sauerland roots and conservative values to appeal to voters, although his popularity has waned post-election.

• Merz's leadership is characterized by a willingness to adapt and a focus on Germany's connection to Europe, reflecting his belief in the importance of strong European leadership amidst global political shifts.