Former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, left, and her husband Joachim Sauer attend the state commemoration ceremony in memory of the former German President Horst Koehler, who died on Feb.

For years, Germany’s business model was based on cheap energy fueling production of industrial goods for export. In 2011, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to hasten the end of nuclear power use in Germany while relying on gas from Russia to bridge the gap as the country moved away from coal generation and toward renewable energy.

For years, Germany's business model was based on cheap energy fueling production of industrial goods for export. In 2011, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to hasten the end of nuclear power use in Germany while relying on gas from Russia to bridge the gap as the country moved away from coal generation and toward renewable energy.

Friedrich Merz, the man favored by early exit polls to be Germany’s next chancellor after elections Sunday, was forced out of government years ago in a power struggle with Angela Merkel. The leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union,

EXCLUSIVE: As Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposes the idea of having ‘European Army' people in German border towns are split on the idea.

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated conservative leader Friedrich Merz on his victory in Sunday's parliamentary election. A spokeswoman for Merkel told the Funke media group on Monday that she texted Merz to offer her congratulations and wish him good luck in building a coalition.

The 69-year-old CDU candidate is set to become chancellor at a time when Germany is going through a deep economic, security and identity crisis.

Video - Angela Merkel's rival, a corporate lawyer and millionaire, and a politician accused of cooperating with the far-right AfD party... Here's what you need to know about Merz.

Friedrich Merz, head of the conservative Christian Democrats, has vowed to bring stronger leadership to Europe, where the new Trump administration has sowed anxiety.

Explore the complete list of German Chancellors from 1871 to today, including their tenures, political parties, and key contributions.