Highlights:
– Friedrich Merz's leadership of the CDU represents a significant shift towards conservatism and economic liberalism, catering to the party's more traditional base, which has implications for Germany's political landscape.
– Merz's tenure as Chancellor has been focused on navigating challenging coalition dynamics, implementing conservative policies, and reevaluating Germany's foreign relations in response to global security threats.
– Despite controversy, Merz's governance embodies a delicate balance between adhering to conservative principles and managing the demands of a divided Bundestag, crucial for shaping Germany's future during challenging times.
Summary
Friedrich Merz is a German politician who, after a long and turbulent career marked by rivalry and hiatus, emerged as the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in January 2022 and subsequently became Chancellor of Germany in May 2025. His rise signifies a notable shift within the CDU towards a more conservative and economically liberal platform, reflecting the preferences of the party’s older and more traditional membership base. Merz’s leadership comes at a critical juncture for Germany, amid economic challenges, a fragmented political landscape, and evolving geopolitical tensions in Europe and beyond.
Merz’s political journey includes his early prominence in the CDU during the 1990s and early 2000s, a sidelining during Angela Merkel’s long tenure, and a return to politics culminating in his decisive victory in the CDU’s historic membership-wide leadership election in 2021. As CDU chairman, Merz has sought to consolidate the party’s identity with a strong emphasis on Western values, NATO, and the eurozone, while firmly rejecting cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), despite occasional overlaps on migration policy.
His tenure as Chancellor has been marked by efforts to navigate complex coalition dynamics, particularly with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and to implement a conservative policy agenda focused on stricter immigration controls, economic revitalization, and a reassessment of Germany’s foreign relations, especially in response to perceived security threats from China and Russia. However, Merz’s leadership has also sparked controversy, notably when legislation supported by the AfD narrowly failed to pass, breaking a longstanding political taboo and drawing sharp criticism from political opponents and international observers.
Merz’s governance thus embodies a balancing act between adhering to conservative principles and managing the practical demands of a divided Bundestag and shifting electorate. His ability to unify his party, maintain Germany’s central role in European politics, and respond to domestic and international challenges will be pivotal in shaping the country’s future amid a period described as the most difficult since reunification.
Background
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has had a long and complex political journey that reflects both the history and evolving dynamics of Germany’s federal republic. His political career began in the 1990s, shaped by the pro-European, pro-Western stance of Helmut Kohl’s CDU. Merz served as co-leader of the CDU/CSU Bundestag group in 2000, but was eventually sidelined by Angela Merkel, who led the party for many years. After years of political hiatus, Merz returned to prominence, securing the CDU federal chairmanship through a historic leadership vote involving nearly 250,000 party members, a departure from the traditional delegate-based selection process. His victory underscored the more conservative tilt of the CDU’s base, which tends to be older and more traditional than the broader electorate that supported Merkel’s centrist policies.
Merz’s leadership comes at a challenging time for Germany and Europe. His initial plan as chancellor candidate involved a whirlwind diplomatic tour across Paris, Warsaw, Ukraine, and Washington, aiming to rebuild alliances and restore Germany’s influence on the international stage amidst a leadership vacuum in both France and Germany. However, the failure to secure the chancellorship on the first round of voting posed a risk to his authority within Europe.
Domestically, Merz has committed to a firm stance against cooperating with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), asserting that any such alliance would amount to the CDU “selling its soul.” He has explicitly tied his political future as party chairman to this pledge. His leadership will be tested not only in navigating coalition politics following a prolonged period of political paralysis but also in balancing the demands of a conservative party base with the broader expectations of German and European voters.
Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz is a prominent German politician and leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), known for his long and winding political career marked by rivalry, resilience, and a recent remarkable comeback. Born in Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia, in West Germany, Merz joined the CDU’s youth wing, the Young Union, in 1972. After completing his law studies in 1985, he initially worked as a judge and corporate lawyer before entering full-time politics in 1989 as a Member of the European Parliament.
Merz quickly established himself as a financial policy expert within the CDU. In 2000, he was elected chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, at a time when Angela Merkel became chairwoman of the CDU, marking the beginning of their long-standing rivalry for party leadership. Following the 2002 federal election, Merkel took over the parliamentary group chairmanship, with Merz serving as deputy parliamentary group leader. Shortly after, he withdrew from frontline politics, spending more than a decade in the private sector before announcing his return in 2018.
In his comeback, Merz faced two unsuccessful bids for CDU leadership in 2018 and early 2021 before finally being elected party leader in December 2021 and assuming office in January 2022. His return signaled a shift toward more conservative and economically liberal policies within the CDU. Known as a reputed multimillionaire corporate lawyer and a licensed private pilot owning two airplanes, Merz also speaks English and French alongside his native German.
Merz’s leadership arrives at a challenging period for Germany, described as the most difficult since reunification. His rise to chancellorship is expected to test his ability to navigate complex domestic and international issues, especially with Europe looking to Germany for political and economic leadership amid uncertainties and global challenges. Despite lacking executive government experience, Merz’s victory is seen as a pivotal moment for Germany’s future direction.
His conservative bloc, including the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the CSU, is favored to lead the new government. However, Merz’s coalition has drawn criticism, particularly over its immigration proposals, which garnered support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), raising concerns within and beyond Germany’s borders. Merz’s initial plans for a whirlwind diplomatic tour across Europe and the United States to strengthen alliances were met with cautious optimism, underscoring the high expectations and delicate political atmosphere surrounding his leadership.
Throughout his career, Merz has remained a staunch pro-European, reflecting the CDU’s traditional values but also emphasizing the need for pragmatic and decisive governance amid growing geopolitical challenges. His tenure as CDU leader is widely viewed as a test of whether Germany can maintain its role as a central force in European and global politics during a time of considerable uncertainty.
Leadership Election
In December 2021, a new leadership election was called within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) following Angela Merkel’s announcement to step down as party leader. Friedrich Merz, representing the right-wing faction of the CDU, emerged as the frontrunner and was elected by a large majority of 62.1% of party members, defeating pro-Merkel candidates Norbert Röttgen and Helge Braun. This leadership contest was notable for involving almost 250,000 of the CDU’s roughly 400,000 members, marking a shift from the party’s traditional delegate-based selection process to a direct vote by the broader membership.
Merz’s election was officially confirmed at the CDU Congress on 22 January 2022, and he formally assumed office on 31 January 2022. His victory underscored the conservative tilt of the party’s rank-and-file, reflecting the older demographic of CDU members, whose average age exceeds 60 years. This conservative base appeared more aligned with Merz’s platform compared to the centrist policies favored by many senior officials and voters who had supported Merkel.
Merz’s leadership came at a challenging time, as he faced the task of uniting a fragmented political landscape and appealing to centrist voters critical to the CDU’s broader electoral success. The election results also set the stage for his candidacy in the 2025 federal election, where early polling positioned the CDU around 30% to 34%, indicating a competitive but uncertain path forward for the party under his leadership.
Leadership Style and Political Positioning
Friedrich Merz’s leadership style is characterized by a pragmatic yet assertive approach aimed at consolidating conservative power while navigating Germany’s complex political landscape. Since assuming office as the CDU party chairman in January 2022, Merz has sought to position himself as a decisive leader capable of delivering a growth miracle for Germany amid economic and geopolitical uncertainties. His rhetoric emphasizes strong governance and a commitment to Western values, NATO, and the eurozone, explicitly distancing himself from extremist ideologies despite controversial cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on certain policy motions.
Merz’s political positioning has sparked considerable debate and concern within Germany and across Europe. While leading the CDU/CSU bloc to remain the largest force in the 2024 European Parliament elections with 30% of the vote, he faces criticism for breaking a longstanding taboo by allowing AfD support for stricter migration policies, which opponents argue could scar Germany’s democracy and fracture conservative unity. This cooperation has elicited strong condemnation from center-left lawmakers and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who described the move as an “unforgivable mistake” undermining the democratic consensus established since the founding of the Federal Republic.
Despite these challenges, Merz maintains that pragmatic cross-party collaboration is essential for effective governance, especially at local levels, where his party’s Minister-President of Saxony highlighted the unsustainability of outright political refusal. Merz also retracted an earlier promise to halve the AfD’s influence, acknowledging the difficulty of doing so from the opposition and suggesting that government policies might inadvertently strengthen the nationalist party. His leadership thus reflects a balancing act between firm conservative principles and the political realities of a fragmented Bundestag, where coalition-building remains complicated by divergent views on economic, social, energy, defense, and immigration policies.
Policy Agenda and Vision
Friedrich Merz, as the leader of the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) and a chancellor candidate, has articulated a policy agenda that focuses heavily on immigration, economic revitalization, and a reassessment of Germany’s foreign relations. In response to recent violent incidents linked to asylum-seekers, Merz has proposed stringent border and asylum regulations, including permanent policing of borders, refusal of entry to migrants lacking valid documentation, and detention of refugees whose asylum applications have been rejected. These proposals, while reflecting a tough stance on migration, have raised concerns regarding their constitutional validity.
Merz’s approach to migration has also involved navigating the contentious relationship between the CDU and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Although some AfD leaders have expressed willingness to support parts of Merz’s anti-immigration proposals, the CDU leadership has publicly rejected formal cooperation with the AfD, condemning the party’s use of migration issues to foment xenophobia and conspiracy theories. Merz has emphasized that there will be “no cooperation, there is no tolerance, there is no minority government, nothing at all” with the AfD despite occasional overlaps in policy stances.
On the economic front, Merz advocates revisiting policies that contributed to Germany’s postwar economic success. He envisions reforms aimed at strengthening industrial competitiveness and stimulating growth in a context where Germany’s economy has experienced contraction over recent years. His economic vision aligns with a broader conservative effort to restore prosperity through market-friendly reforms and enhanced internal security measures.
In foreign policy, Merz calls for a strategic realignment that recognizes new global security challenges. He has identified China as an escalating threat to German security and has criticized the current government’s openness to Chinese investment in critical infrastructure, such as the port of Hamburg. Merz advocates for closer coordination with key European allies, particularly France and the United Kingdom, including discussions about extending their nuclear umbrella to Germany. This reflects his broader vision of enhancing Germany’s security posture through deeper European collaboration rather than unilateral actions.
Internal Party Dynamics
Friedrich Merz became the third leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) within three years, officially taking office on 31 January 2022, following the leaderships of Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Armin Laschet. His ascension marked a significant shift after the CDU’s defeat in the 2021 federal election, which ended 16 years of CDU-led government under Angela Merkel. Merz, a seasoned politician and former Member of the European Parliament, won the leadership election decisively with 62 percent of the vote, defeating more centrist candidates such as Norbert Röttgen and Helger Braun.
Merz’s leadership has been characterized by efforts to consolidate the party’s identity and clarify its position on key issues. At the CDU federal party conference in Berlin, he explicitly positioned the party against movements and ideologies that, in his view, oppose the values and achievements of Germany’s post-war order. He criticized forces that are against the Western orientation of Germany, the euro, and NATO, framing the CDU as a defender of these pillars.
Within the party, Merz is seen as a “team player” with strong economic and financial expertise, qualities that his predecessor Laschet emphasized as crucial for navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. His return to the Bundestag after a 12-year absence and subsequent leadership bid signaled a renewed focus on reasserting CDU influence both internally and nationally.
Merz’s leadership has also involved managing delicate coalition dynamics, particularly regarding potential cooperation with the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Following the 2025 federal election, in which the CDU emerged as the strongest party but without an absolute majority, coalition negotiations began. Merz aims to lead a coalition that may include the SPD and the Christian Social Union (CSU), the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, despite ideological differences and internal skepticism within the SPD regarding such a partnership. The anticipated coalition, often referred to as a Große Koalition (Grand Coalition), faces scrutiny given the fragmented political landscape and the potential challenges of aligning diverse party interests.
Despite efforts to present a united front, the CDU/CSU alliance under Merz has faced criticism for its immigration proposals, which included measures supported by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merz has made clear that there will be no cooperation or tolerance for the AfD within the party or government structures, emphasizing a firm stance against far-right collaboration. The party’s unanimous approval of a 15-point plan to limit irregular migration and bolster internal security demonstrates an attempt to balance firm policies with a rejection of extremist alliances.
Challenges to Leadership Consolidation
Friedrich Merz’s path to consolidating his leadership within the CDU has been marked by several significant challenges. Despite his eventual election as CDU chairman in December 2021, following unsuccessful leadership bids in 2018 and 2021, Merz has faced a complex political environment characterized by internal party divisions and broader societal fragmentation.
One major obstacle is the ideological diversity within the CDU itself. Merz’s decisive victory in the leadership election reflected a strong conservative base among party members, who tend to be older and more traditionalist than the broader electorate. This demographic tilt presents a challenge for Merz as he seeks to broaden the party’s appeal to centrist voters who supported his predecessor, Angela Merkel. The intra-party dynamics remain tense; Merz previously engaged in a protracted power struggle with Merkel, which ultimately led to his temporary withdrawal from politics.
Externally, Merz confronts a fragmented parliamentary landscape. The CDU/CSU alliance and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) together hold a slim majority in the Bundestag, complicating the task of forming a stable and cohesive government. Deep divisions over key policy areas—including economic, social, energy, defense, and immigration issues—impede consensus-building efforts and raise doubts about Merz’s ability to negotiate effective coalitions, especially with the SPD.
Another significant challenge relates to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Merz has publicly positioned the CDU in opposition to the AfD’s platform, which he condemned as fundamentally opposed to Germany’s Western orientation, the euro, and
Public and Political Reception
Friedrich Merz’s rise to the leadership of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) marked a significant moment in German politics, eliciting a wide range of reactions both domestically and internationally. His victory was seen as a remarkable comeback after a long absence from frontline politics and previous unsuccessful leadership bids. Despite congratulations, opponents of Merz did not shy away from highlighting the length of his political journey, with Social Democrat Lars Klingbeil humorously noting the culture of giving people multiple chances in Germany.
Merz’s policy positions and strategic decisions have sparked considerable debate. His hawkish stances on authoritarian regimes, particularly Russia and China, have positioned him as a proponent of a tougher foreign policy. In 2023, he advocated for Germany to engage key allies, notably France, in a reassessment of relations with China that reflects a global “paradigm shift” in security and foreign policy. This includes support for deeper European integration and the concept of a unified European army. These positions align with the CDU’s traditional commitment to European integration and strong transatlantic relations.
However, Merz has also faced criticism, especially regarding his interactions with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). His proposal to introduce legislation that the AfD could support broke with a longstanding political consensus in Germany, where cooperation with the far-right has been broadly rejected since the founding of the Federal Republic. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned this move as an “unforgivable mistake,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining a democratic consensus against the far right. AfD leaders, for their part, have expressed willingness to back some of Merz’s anti-immigration proposals, underscoring the complex political dynamics at play.
The incident in the Bundestag where the CDU allowed AfD votes on certain measures caused concern beyond Germany’s borders, highlighting fears about the implications for European stability and Germany’s role as a leading economic and political power. European officials, such as EU foreign affairs representative Kaja Kallas, stressed the need for strong and stable governance in Berlin to ensure continuity and leadership within the European Union.
Merz’s leadership comes at a time when Germany’s political landscape is shifting, and his ability to balance internal party unity, opposition pressures, and international expectations will be critical. Analysts note that whether a Merz-led government perceives Europe as a partner or an obstacle will significantly influence Germany’s future policies, especially in the context of increasing global challenges and the changing geopolitical environment under recent international developments.
Governance and Early Leadership as Chancellor
Friedrich Merz’s ascent to the Chancellorship of Germany marked a significant moment in the country’s political landscape, not only because of his victory but also due to the challenges and controversies that accompanied his early leadership. His election came after an unprecedented second round of parliamentary voting on 6 May 2025, where he narrowly secured the chancellorship following the collapse of the previous governing coalition and an early election held seven months ahead of schedule. This outcome was historic, as no candidate had previously failed to achieve an absolute majority in the first round.
Merz’s initial period in office has been characterized by attempts to stabilize a fragmented Bundestag and form a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), despite ideological differences and internal opposition within both parties. The coalition, though necessary to secure a parliamentary majority, was widely regarded as a reluctant alliance, borne out of a lack of viable alternatives rather than political compatibility. Merz and the SPD together command 328 seats in the Bundestag, just enough to form a majority, but underlying divisions on key issues such as economic, social, energy, defense, and immigration policies threaten the cohesion of this grand coalition.
One of the most contentious aspects of Merz’s early governance has been his approach to immigration policy. His proposed legislation sought to impose stricter immigration controls, reflecting concerns over what he described as an “inconsistent” migration system under the previous government. However, the bill narrowly failed to pass in the Bundestag, facing opposition from across the political spectrum. Notably, a parliamentary vote supporting the law included backing from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a move that broke with a longstanding consensus among German democrats to avoid cooperation with the AfD. This association drew sharp criticism, including from then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who labeled it an “unforgivable mistake,” underscoring the political risks Merz faced in navigating parliamentary dynamics.
Despite these early setbacks and the delicate nature of his coalition, Merz’s leadership has drawn considerable attention across Europe. His initial plans included diplomatic engagements with key partners such as France, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States, aimed at reinforcing Germany’s role as a central actor in European and global affairs amid a perceived leadership vacuum. Nonetheless, questions remain about whether Merz’s government can overcome internal fragmentation and external pressures to enact effective policies, particularly in areas where his coalition partners hold divergent views.
Impact and Significance
Friedrich Merz’s emergence as Germany’s leader marks a pivotal moment for both the country and Europe amid ongoing economic and political challenges. His leadership comes at a time when Germany’s economy has experienced contraction over the past two years, heightening the urgency for policies that strengthen industrial competitiveness and stimulate growth. Merz’s approach emphasizes revisiting the economic strategies that fueled Germany’s postwar miracle, signaling a potential shift towards more robust market-driven reforms.
Politically, Merz has taken a firm stance against collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), asserting that any cooperation would be tantamount to “selling the soul” of his party, the CDU. This position reflects his commitment to maintaining the CDU’s political identity and distancing it from extremist influences, a critical factor given the AfD’s rising presence in German politics and the ongoing competition within the conservative bloc. Under Merz’s candidacy, the CDU/CSU alliance has also revived support for nuclear energy, advocating for the reactivation of closed reactors and the construction of new plants as part of Germany’s energy strategy.
On the international stage, Merz’s leadership is being closely watched as Europe grapples with a leadership vacuum, particularly in France and Germany. His initial failure to secure the chancellorship on the first ballot raised concerns about his authority at a crucial time when Germany is expected to play a central role in European and transatlantic affairs. Plans for a diplomatic tour aimed at reinforcing alliances with key partners like France, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States underscore the significance attributed to his foreign policy agenda. Observers note that the success of a Merz-led coalition will depend not only on domestic political dynamics but also on how Germany positions itself within Europe—whether as an obstacle or a catalyst for collective action on economic and security issues.
The content is provided by Jordan Fields, Front Signals
