German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed he wants Commerzbank AG to remain independent and opposes a takeover by the Italian lender UniCredit SpA.

Merz described his Oval Office meeting and extended lunch with Trump as constructive but also candid, noting that the two leaders expressed different views on Ukraine.

Merz's office said the new German leader, who took the helm of Europe's biggest economy on May 6, will meet Trump on Thursday — the first in-person meeting between the two.

German Chancellor Merz has said he "no longer understands" Israel's goals in the Strip, stressing humanitarian concerns and calling for actions that allies can support amid ongoing criticism.

Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled a new start in relations with European partners France and Poland, but there were signs of tough discussions ahead on thorny issues like illegal ...

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to reset ties between their nations and join forces to help strengthen the European Union’s defensive ...

Friedrich Merz succeeds in his bid to become German chancellor during a second vote in parliament, hours after he suffered a historic defeat in the first round.

Friedrich Merz has succeeded in becoming Germany's new Chancellor after a defeat in the first round of voting.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for renewed Franco-German cooperation Friedrich Merz says a reset in relations is vital to help Europe overcome its security and economic ‘challenges’.

Friedrich Merz walks in the plenary after he failed to be elected new chancellor in the first voting process at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, Berlin, May 6, 2025.

Chancellor race reopens as Merz falls short German lawmakers are set to vote again on Tuesday afternoon to choose the next chancellor, just hours after Merz failed to win in the first round.

Friedrich Merz was elected chancellor by parliament in a second round of voting after an unprecedented defeat on the first attempt got his coalition government off to a wobbly start.