Friedrich Merz, Germany’s presumptive next chancellor, faces an uncertain start, as his victory on Sunday came without overwhelming support, and many Germans remain unenthusiastic about his leadership.
Despite this, Merz has the potential to be the most globally influential German chancellor since Angela Merkel, his longtime rival. With President Trump threatening to withdraw military support from Europe and bypass it in peace negotiations with Russia, Germany's role on the world stage could be more crucial than ever.
Domestically, Merz faces mounting pressure to deliver significant reforms on economic policy and immigration—key concerns for voters. Whether he can implement the dramatic changes they seek remains an open question, one that will define his leadership and Germany’s future.
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