2 h. ago Germany election: far right surge is ‘last warning’, says Friedrich Merz

Leader of victorious conservative alliance says centrist parties must work together to provide effective leadershipGerman election live – latest updatesThe doubling of support for the far right in Germany’s federal election was “the last warning” to the country’s mainstream parties to provide effective leadership, Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s victorious conservative alliance, has said.Speaking on Monday after his CDU/CSU alliance came first with 28.5% of the vote, the man who is on course to become the next German chancellor said centrist parties needed to heed the surge in support for the anti-immigration Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Germany: Merz says it’s ‘five to midnight’ for Europe and calls for unity – live

Most likely next German chancellor warns against rise of far right and says he intends to form new government by EasterGerman election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago German elections live: Far right Afd’s surge is ‘final warning’ to democratic parties, victorious Merz says

Friedrich Merz set to become new chancellor after provisional results show his conservatives won

Events

3 h. ago Apple cheers Trump with $500bn US investment plan; UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm – business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

4 h. ago Germany: Merz says migration, foreign relations and security key but warns of rise of far right after CDU/CSU election success – live

Most likely next German chancellor says his party has mandate to govern and intends to form new government by EasterGerman election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm Bain Capital– business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

6 h. ago German election results 2025 – live: Elon Musk congratulates far

Friedrich Merz set to become new chancellor after provisional results show his conservatives won

Politics

6 h. ago Germany elections live: AfD’s Weidel says she received congratulations from Elon Musk after significant far

Conservative opposition wins most votes in Germany election amid dramatic surge by far-right Alternative für Deutschland German election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Deutsche Bank boss calls for ‘fundamental reforms’ from next government, as German business confidence stagnates – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as euro rallies and DAX and MDAX indices rise in early tradingGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pledged to relax...

Economics

8 h. ago German election results 2025 – live: Friedrich Merz’s conservatives celebrate win after far

Likely new chancellor has ruled out coalition with AfD

Politics

8 h. ago Germany: Merz calls for European ‘independence’ from US after Conservatives win election – Europe live

Donald Trump has made it clear he is ‘fairly indifferent to Europe’s fate’, says CDU leader who plans to form a coalition by EasterGerman election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago German election results 2025 – live: Friedrich Merz’s Conservatives celebrate win as far right party makes record gains

Likely new chancellor has ruled out coalition with AfD

Politics

10 h. ago German election results 2025 – live: Friedrich Merz’s Conservatives win as far right party makes big gains

Likely new chancellor has ruled out coalition with AfD

Politics

20 h. ago German election results 2025 – live: Trump hails ‘great day for Germany’ as Merz’s Conservatives claim victory

AfD set for strongest result ever while incumbent chancellor’s SPD on track for worst-ever outcome in fourth snap election in Germany’s history

Politics

22 h. ago German election results 2025 – live: Exit poll predicts CDU win as far

AfD set for record result while incumbent chancellor’s SPD on track for worst-ever outcome in fourth snap election in Germany’s history

Politics

23 h. ago German election live: Conservatives projected to win and far

Exit polls show CDU/CSU as largest party with about 29%, with Alternative für Deutschland on about 20%German election 2025: results in full – liveOpinion is divided as Germany faces what some describe as the “most important election in their lifetime”. The country is expected to shift to the right as Friedrich Merz is in pole position to become Germany’s next chancellor, while far-right party AfD could become the second most powerful party.So earlier today I asked voters at a polling station in central Berlin what they expected from the election and what they wanted the next chancellor to focus on. Continue reading...

Politics

24 h. ago German election 2025 live updates: Exit poll expected soon with all eyes on far

Germany heads to the polls for the fourth snap election in its history

Politics

26 h. ago German election live: voters head to polls amid fears over Ukraine security, Trump and rise of far right

Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz could unseat chancellor Olaf Scholz but threat of gains by far-right AfD looms largeBerlin correspondentIn the run-up to today’s vote, the Guardian’s Kate Connolly travelled more than 850 miles on trains across Germany to hear what its citizens have to say about the state of their nation. Continue reading...

Politics

27 h. ago German election 2025 live updates: Polls open as Europe and US watch on in pivotal vote

Germany heads to the polls for the fourth snap election in its history

Politics

29 h. ago German election live updates: Polls open as Europe and US watch on in pivotal vote

Germany heads to the polls for the fourth snap election in its history

Politics