Friedrich Merz has vowed to prioritize European unity and the continent's security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia's war on Ukraine​.

Merz’s Conservative CDU emerged as the largest party in Sunday’s federal elections, winning 208 seats in the 630-seat German parliament. View on euronews

The likely next chancellor is unpopular, and his country’s economy has stalled. But his penchant for risks could help lead to a European showdown with President Trump.