CDU leader Friedrich Merz set to become German chancellor
Merz, who has no previous experience in office, is set to become chancellor with Europe's largest economy ailing, its society split over migration and its security caught between a confrontational US and an assertive Russia and China
Merz took aim at the US in blunt remarks after his victory, criticising the "ultimately outrageous" comments flowing from Washington during the campaign, comparing them to hostile interventions from Russia
Merz told a roundtable with other leaders,
Quote
"So we are under such massive pressure from two sides that my absolute priority now is to achieve unity in Europe
It is possible to create unity in Europe"
Merz's broadside against the US came despite President Donald Trump welcoming the election outcome.Trump wrote on Truth Social,
Quote
"Much like the USA the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration that has prevailed for so many years"
