Friedrich Merz German politician Friedrich Merz is leader of the Christian Democratic Union. (more) Friedrich Merz German politician Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friedrich-Merz Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Meg Matthias Meg Matthias is Senior Video Production Manager at Encyclopædia Britannica. Meg Matthias Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 19, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Quick Facts Born: November 11, 1955, Brilon, Germany (Show more) Friedrich Merz (born November 11, 1955, Brilon, Germany) is a German lawyer, lobbyist, and politician who has served as leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party since 2022. With the CDU’s win in Germany’s February 2025 election, Merz was expected to become the country’s next chancellor. Merz worked as a lawyer before entering politics. As a fledgling politician in the 1980s and ’90s, he represented many of the political characteristics of West Germany before German reunification: transatlanticist, business oriented, and socially conservative. Merz earned positions in the European Parliament (1989–1994) and the German Bundestag (1994–2009) as a Christian Democrat. ...(100 of 616 words)

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