BERLIN — Friedrich Merz is seemingly on the path to becoming the 10th chancellor of Germany since World War II, marking a significant milestone in a political journey that has spanned many years and faced considerable challenges, particularly due to the influence of the party’s renowned former leader.
At 69 years old, Merz leads the center-right Union bloc, which has emerged victorious in the national elections, garnering 28.6% of the public vote. His prospects of establishing a new government look promising, with speculation leaning toward a coalition with the Social Democrats. This party has been facing public dissatisfaction while attempting to maintain a coalition since 2021 alongside two additional parties.
Merz’s path to the chancellorship has certainly been a lengthy one. As a lawyer by training, his political career had previously been disrupted by former Chancellor Angela Merkel in the early 2000s, which even led him to withdraw from active politics for several years. Despite his extensive experience in political arenas, he will step into the role of chancellor without having held a government position before.
The competitive dynamic with Merkel adds an interesting layer to Merz’s journey. She has acknowledged Merz’s talents as a skilled orator and admired his leadership ambitions, even though tensions arose from their shared desire for control. In her memoirs, Merkel noted their distinct backgrounds and suggested that their similar aspirations created complications in their relationship.
Following a narrow loss in the 2002 election, Merkel shifted her focus to solidifying her hold on Germany’s center-right and sidelined Merz from his role as the leader of the parliamentary group, which led her to take both that position and the CDU party leadership while serving as chancellor from 2005 to 2021.
After leaving parliament in 2009, Merz opted out of active politics for an extended period. During those years, he pursued his legal career and took charge of the supervisory board for the German division of investment giant BlackRock. His travels often took him to the United States and China for business, though he remained rooted in Germany.
Volker Resing, who has penned a recent biography on Merz, remarked that, should Merz assume office as chancellor, he could be the most globally focused leader Germany has had since WWII. He emphasized Merz’s belief in individual initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness over reliance on the state.
Merz’s political resurgence began after Merkel announced her decision not to pursue a fifth term as chancellor in 2018. Despite being edged out by candidates aligning more closely with Merkel’s ideology in party elections during 2018 and 2021, he remained persistent and ultimately won the party leadership after the center-right’s defeat in 2021 elections. He reinforced his influence by also leading the Union’s parliamentary group.
Resing describes Merz as a politician who is not averse to necessary confrontation, stating that he believes that healthy debate can lead to progress. During his election campaign, Merz has pledged to strengthen Germany’s struggling economy and take decisive action against irregular migration.
In light of shifting political scenarios, including the return of Donald Trump, Merz expressed the need for Europe to be ready to defend its political framework, emphasizing the cooperative efforts made with the United States over the past 75 years. He summarized his cautious optimism by suggesting that while hope is important, preparation for adverse conditions is equally essential.
Merz has also highlighted the tightening of Germany’s immigration policies in response to recent violent incidents, including a migrant committing a knife attack in Aschaffenburg. He proposed a nonbinding motion to increase the number of migrants refused entry at Germany’s borders, which, after passing narrowly, drew scrutiny for its association with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Critics accused Merz of compromising by collaborating with AfD, a sentiment echoed by Merkel herself. This collaboration has been documented as a possible reflection of Merz’s supposed impulsivity. Nevertheless, following the motion, significant public protests have erupted against both the immigration proposal and the influence of the far-right in politics.
Maintaining his stance, Merz has insisted he sought no partnership with the AfD and declared a firm commitment to never align with them if he steps into the chancellorship.
Rooted in rural Germany, Merz reflects the personality of his constituency, characterized by a pragmatic and reserved approach. He has consistently championed conservative values, emphasizing family significance. Merz and his wife Charlotte, a judge, share three adult children and a connection from their university days studying law together.
Joining the CDU in 1972, Merz first entered the European Parliament in 1989 and transitioned to the German parliament in 1994.
A passionate pilot, Merz often flies his small plane from his home in Sauerland to Berlin on early Monday mornings. He has managed to balance this pursuit with his demanding role as opposition leader, facing some criticism suggesting that flying is merely a luxury hobby. Resing noted that Merz’s enthusiasm shines when discussing flying, emphasizing the sense of freedom he experiences when soaring above the clouds.
