Who is Friedrich Merz? Merkel’s Rival and Germany’s Election Frontrunner
Friedrich Merz, a 69-year-old veteran politician known for his hardline stance on migration and love of aviation, is the frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor in the February 23 federal election.
But who is this old-school conservative determined to steer his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), away from Angela Merkel’s centrist legacy?
A Political Comeback Decades in the Making
Merz’s return to frontline politics was set in motion when Merkel stepped down as CDU leader in 2021. After two failed attempts, he finally won party leadership in 2022.
His opportunity for the chancellery arose after the collapse of Germany’s governing coalition—a fragile alliance of the Social Democrats (SPD), Free Democrats (FDP), and Greens—leading to a snap election.
If the CDU wins, Merz will inherit a country in crisis. His promises include:
Reviving the economy after years of stagnation
Cracking down on migration
Lowering taxes
Regaining votes from the far right
However, his path hasn’t been without controversy. A brief flirtation with the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) weeks before the election triggered backlash and accusations of breaking mainstream parties’ firewall against the AfD.
From Beer Coasters to Big Business: The Making of Merz
Born in 1955 into a conservative Catholic family in Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz joined the CDU’s youth wing while still in school. He launched his political career in 1989, becoming a Member of the European Parliament at 33.
After one term, he moved to the Bundestag (German parliament), where he made his mark on financial policy. In 2003, he famously proposed simplifying tax rules to the point they could be calculated on the back of a beer coaster.
But his rivalry with Merkel cut his political career short.
2000: Lost CDU leadership bid to Merkel
2002: Merkel replaced him as opposition leader in the Bundestag
2009: Left politics for the private sector
In the corporate world, Merz became a multimillionaire, working as a lawyer and senior counsel at international law firm Mayer Brown. His business background has helped fuel his image as a leader who can fix Germany’s struggling economy, which shrank for a second consecutive year in 2024.
Breaking from Merkel’s ‘Carpet of Fog’
Merz has made no secret of his desire to undo Merkel’s legacy.
He blames her leadership for creating a “carpet of fog” over Germany
He criticized her 2015 open-door refugee policy as a grave mistake
He moved the CDU further to the right to stop voters from defecting to the AfD
His hardline stance on immigration includes:
Rejecting asylum seekers arriving from other EU countries at Germany’s borders
Criticizing liberal welfare policies, accusing Ukrainian refugees of “social tourism” (a phrase he later apologized for)
Slashing welfare spending, arguing against “paying people who are not willing to work”
Merkel, who has largely stayed out of politics, publicly rebuked Merz in January after he pushed an immigration bill with AfD support—though it was ultimately defeated in parliament.
Despite the backlash, Merz has since reaffirmed:
“There is no cooperation with this party [AfD],” he told CNN.
Foreign Policy: Ukraine, Israel, and Trump
On military aid, Merz supports a stronger stance than the outgoing SPD-led government, particularly regarding Ukraine:
He advocates sending long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv, a step Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused due to fears of escalating the conflict.
He backs Germany’s continued military aid to Israel while supporting a two-state solution.
Meanwhile, he remains cautious about Trump. In a recent debate, he expressed unease over Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza, but added that it remains unclear “what is really meant seriously.”
On Germany’s defense spending, he has acknowledged that it must increase, though he has been vague on specific targets.
The Final Stretch
Merz’s campaign has focused on:
Economic revival (tax cuts, deregulation, and incentives to work)
Stronger migration controls
More assertive foreign policy
But his elite background has also drawn scrutiny. A passionate aviation enthusiast, Merz is known for flying his own private plane—an expensive hobby for someone who once described himself as “upper middle class”.
With election day approaching, the question remains:
Will Merz finally get his chance to lead Germany?
