Elections in Germany 2025. Friedrich Merz Chancellor of Germany? Here's what he said about Ukraine, migration and relations with Poland

Poll Politbaromter Extra for the ZDF station, conducted in the pre -election week, once again confirmed that the best chance of winning in accelerated elections to the Bundestag has the block of Christian Democrats of CDU/CSU, which wants to vote for 28 percent of respondents. The right-wing-populist AFD (21 percent) came second, which was ahead of a social democratic SPD (16 percent) and green (14 percent). Therefore, there are many indications that it is Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) after Sunday elections at the head of the German government.

Merz is the son of a judge. He was born in 1955 in Brilon, West Germany. He was a rebellious youth, he admits. In detail about childhood, the future CDU leader told an interview for “Der Tagesspiegel” in 2000. He talked about the first packet of cigarettes, which he bought in a kiosk near the school, long hair, riding a motorcycle and listening to the band “The Doors”, of which he remained a fan for years. He was on a bacon with discipline, which was why he had to change school at the age of 16.

A year later, Merz joined the ranks of CDU youth. Then he passed the matura exam, served as a military service and got to the University of Bonn. He was a scholarship holder of the Konrad Adenauer Konrad Foundation, he studied law. In the summer of 1980, at one of the friendly students, he met his future wife Charlotte. This is also a lawyer. The marriage has three children, a son and two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Privately, a politician is passionate about aviation.

He began his political career for good in 1989, when he took the mandate of the MEP. Five years later he was elected to the Bundestag. He gained the opinion of a rising star. He even took the position of chairman of the CDU/CSU faction. However, the ambitious politician stood in the way Angela Merkelwhich in 2002 replaced him as a faction leader. The conflict with the future German Chancellor made Merz gradually withdrawing from party activities.

Ultimately, Merz announced the end of his political career in 2009. He took up business then. He worked for the American law firm Mayer Brown, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions. He also later held positions in numerous supervisory boards, boards and advisory councils. He was related to, among others from Axa, Commerzbank or the Borussia Dortmund club. It was also loud about his work for the American investment giant, Blackrock. According to the estimates cited by CNN, these projects made him a millionaire. However, when in 2018 Angela Merkel announced that she would no longer apply for leadership in the CDU, Merz decided to return to the world of politics.

He began to apply for the role of a party leader. However, he lost the vote with Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Once again, he stood up to the race for the chair of the CDU leader in January and December 2021. The first time he was defeated by Armin Laschet, but the second He won the position. He obtained nearly 95 percent of votes. By embracing the party's reins, he promised to break with the center Merkel. After the collapse of the coalition, Olaf Scholza, Merz began to apply for the German Chancellor's seat.

Merz is perceived as a representative of a socially conservative and economically liberal CDU wing. He is in favor of decreasing income tax and limiting bureaucracy. Years ago, he became famous for simplifying tax declarations to such an extent that they could fit on a beer pad. He is also a supporter of a more flexible labor market and wants more start-ups in the country.

The CDU leader is also in favor of reducing social benefits, the introduction of an annual social service and raising the retirement age. For years, he has been opposed to the current migration policy of Germany and is calling for exacerbation. After Russia's attack on Ukraine He accused some refugees of practicing “social tourism”, for which He finally apologized. Like other representatives of Christian Democrats, Merz wants the migrants applying for asylum to be turned back on the German border.

After A cutter attack in Aschaffenburg The politician presented a five -point plan for limiting migration. At the end of January, thanks to a small advantage of the votes, won thanks to AFD, the Bundestag supported by Merza proposed resolution on the introduction of permanent inspections on German borders. Cooperation with the extremely right -wing party aroused a number of protests. Merz then began to repeat the already submitted declaration in the past that there would be no cooperation with MPs of an alternative to Germany.

Elon Musk's support for the Alice Weidel party and Munich speech by JD Vance He commented in an interview with the correspondent “Deutsche Welle”. As he noted, in his speech, “Vance gave us a lesson on how to handle political parties in Germany and populists, which we have a completely different view.” – Americans mix in elections (…) which irritates me, but it does not surprise me, because there were announcements of this type (…) It is not the task of the American government to explain to us in Germany how to protect democratic institutions, we will go our own way – he added.

Merz also constantly assures his support for Ukraine. As he repeats, he is ready to strengthen cooperation with Poland, Great Britain and France in this matter. It is in favor of reviving cooperation within the Weimar Triangle, which includes Germany, Poland and France.

– The government I manage will end the first day silence on the connections between Berlin and Warsaw – he said in January in a program speech dedicated to foreign policy. – We will treat our neighbor in the East with respect, and due to our full phrase – with empathy. What's more, we ask Poland to take over leadership in Europe and Europe as part of the Presidency in the European Union – he added.

He also reminded that on June 17, 1991, Poland and Germany signed a treaty with a good neighborhood and friendly cooperation, which to this day is the basis of a two -sided relationship. – I suggest that on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of this document, a friendship treaty that will raise our bilateral relations to the new level – said the leader of the CDU.

During a meeting organized in 2022 Jarosław Kaczyński Merz referred to the issue of possible war reparations. The CDU leader then recognized Polish claims as deprived of legal grounds. – I would like us to look to the future, and not only talk about matters in which there is no agreement between Poland and Germany – he said during a later conversation with journalists.

See also: The candidate for the German Chancellor wants a new treaty with Poland