Friedrich Merz
Федеральний канцлер Німеччини
Friedrich Merz – Federal Chancellor of Germany, whose party won the 2025 elections, promising a restoration of the "center-right" and support for Ukraine.
Until 2002, Merz headed the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, but under pressure from the then leader and future chancellor Angela Merkel he lost the post.
In 2009, Merz left politics and made a career in business. After the so-called "traffic light coalition" came to power at the end of 2021, Merz returned to politics. At the beginning of 2022, he became head of the CDU – the largest opposition force.
Merz criticizes the policies of Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, advocates increasing the defense budget, a tough stance on Russia, and "independence" from the US position. As party leader, he promised to destroy the pro-Russian and far-right "Alternative for Germany".
He has extensive experience in business and politics, and is a supporter of neoliberal economic reforms and the restoration of universal military conscription in Germany.
Read the full biography of Friedrich Merz in the Channel 24 article.