Supporters of Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union and his party's candidate for Chancellor attend the electoral evening in Berlin on February 23. AFP
Supporters of Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union and his party's candidate for Chancellor attend the electoral evening in Berlin on February 23. AFP

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Europe

Germany's conservatives win election as wait begins for coalition talks

Friedrich Merz now set to succeed Chancellor Olaf Scholz after collapse in centre-left vote and surge to far right

Damien McElroy
Damien McElroy

February 23, 2025