Friedrich Merz, the new leader of Germany's CDU, is set to take office as chancellor, aiming to rejuvenate the country's economy and diplomatic standing. Merz assumes this role amidst various challenges, notably the rising far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He has pledged to tackle issues such as irregular migration and enhance border security while leveraging the fiscal resources made available by the prior government. The transfer of power includes a ceremonial send-off for outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, highlighting the political changes taking place within the country.
His new government has already secured hundreds of billions of euros in fiscal firepower under a spending "bazooka" passed by the outgoing parliament, meant to rebuild crumbling infrastructure and the long-underfunded military while boosting an economy which has shrunk for two years.
Germany is back on track," the 69-year-old confidently said in a message to US President Donald Trump weeks ago after his CDU/CSU alliance agreed to jointly rule Germany with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
On Monday evening, Scholz was given a grand send-off in the form of a military parade, with Defence Minister Borius Pistorius (SPD) making a speech in honour of the outgoing Chancellor.
But he faces a mountain of challenges from day one, including the rapid rise of the far-right and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which took second place in February's election and has won strong support from Washington.
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