Merz expressed concern over changing relations with Washington under the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from the U.S.

World leaders have congratulated Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), for winning the German elections. However, as the plaudits rolled in, others were focused on the surge of the far right as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party celebrated its best showing at the polls at 20.

Europe must seek to “achieve independence” from the United States, Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said after his opposition conservatives won elections on Sunday, in a vote that also saw surging support for the far-right.