Germany's election frontrunner says Europeans are waiting for Germany to take the lead on dealing with the new American president.

Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz, frontrunner in polls to become the next chancellor, on Tuesday urged a united European stance in talks with US President Donald Trump.

The ruling elite’s responses to Trump include unifying Europe under German leadership, making the continent militarily independent, and achieving greater profitability and competitiveness at the expense of the working class.

The front-runner to become Germany's next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has called for a common European strategy in view of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in just over a week. Merz,

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz sees potential in collaborating with U.S. President Trump, advocating for a strong European negotiating stance. His call for unified military purchases faces challenges from France's defense industry.

Donald Trump's return to the White House has darkened the mood in Germany a month before elections, as multiple crises shake the foundations on which Europe's biggest economy built its

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, tipped to become the next chancellor, said on Thursday he wanted to win back the lost trust of key allies and ensure Berlin is more assertive on the global stage in a speech laying out his foreign policy plans.

While leading German politicians fear the worst from Trump's second presidency, German parties are taking very different approaches to him. The far-right AfD is delighted, and was even invited to Trump's inauguration.

Tucking into beer and pretzels, the frontrunner to become Germany's next chancellor, conservative millionaire Friedrich Merz, is showing off his folksy side.Merkel went on to become Germany's second-longest serving post-war chancellor while Merz -- his influence greatly diminished -- for over a decade pursued a career in the private sector.

Friedrich Merz, German opposition leader and chairman of the CDU party, speaks at the Global Leaders Dialogue in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.