A former corporate lawyer and CDU rival of Angela Merkel who returned to frontline politics to lead the CDU/CSU to victory in the 23 February 2025 snap election, called after Scholz's coalition collapsed. The AfD's second-place finish, with double its 2021 vote share, made coalition-building difficult; Merz's CDU/CSU-SPD grand coalition agreement (9 April 2025) led to his election as Chancellor on 6 May 2025.
- Lived: 1955 CE – ?
- Nationality: german
- Roles: Chancellor of Germany (2025-present)
