Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz (German:; born 11 November 1955) is a German politician who has served as Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since January 2022 and led the CDU/CSU (Union) parliamentary group as well as being Leader of the Opposition in the Bundestag since February 2022.

3 days ago · Merz was born in the west German town of Brilon in 1955 into a prominent conservative, Catholic family. His father served as a local judge, as does Friedrich Merz's wife Charlotte to this day.

18 hours ago · Dogged by protesters, but apparently safe from damage in the polls, Friedrich Merz is putting a failed immigration gambit behind him. Listen to this article · 6:31 min Learn more Share full article

17 hours ago · BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz accused his main challenger in the upcoming election of “constant about turns,” while Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader and front-runner, accused Scholz of leaving behind an economic “disaster” as parliament met Tuesday for the last time before the country’s Feb. 23 election.. Polls give Merz’s center-right Union bloc the lead, with ...

Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz (* 11. November 1955 in Brilon) ist ein deutscher Politiker (CDU). Er ist seit 2022 Bundesvorsitzender der CDU sowie Vorsitzender der CDU/CSU-Bundestagsfraktion und somit Oppositionsführer im 20. Deutschen Bundestag.

Nov 15, 2024 · When Friedrich Merz suddenly re-entered politics after a near 10-year absence, some described it as the Second Coming. Others said it was the return of the undead. However you describe it,...

Sep 17, 2024 · BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s opposition center-right Christian Democratic Union announced Tuesday that it has chosen its leader, Friedrich Merz, to be its candidate for chancellor in next year’s national election. The decision sets the stage for a possible challenge of Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the federal election scheduled for September 2025.

Dec 18, 2024 · Who Is Friedrich Merz, a Leading Candidate to Be Germany’s Next Chancellor? If polls are correct, Olaf Scholz’s successor could be the 69-year-old leader of the Christian Democratic Union.

Dec 11, 2024 · Ten weeks away from elections and with a double-digit lead over his closest rival's party, conservative leader Friedrich Merz is getting used to being feted as Germany's next Chancellor.

Friedrich Merz, nemesis of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, is confident that he will win the upcoming election — despite his latest controversial moves siding with the far right on curbing...