Germany's mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won the country's national election, ensuring that Ukraine has an even stronger supporter in the European Union's largest country and creating hopes for renewal in an economic powerhouse that has been badly battered in recent years.

Germany's mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won the country's national election, ensuring that Ukraine has an even stronger supporter in the European Union's largest country.

Merz prioritizes Ukraine and US, vows to tackle migration and economy after German election win BERLIN (AP) — Provisional results confirm that mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won Germany's national election,

German election winner Friedrich Merz faces serious hurdles to boosting defence spending in Europe’s largest nation after parties opposed to arming Ukraine secured enough seats to prevent an easing of the country’s strict limits on public borrowing.

Provisional results confirm that mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won Germany's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the nation’s second-largest

The incoming conservative-led government in Germany will face daunting challenges as it confronts a rapidly changing security environment in Europe while trying to protect Ukrainian sovereignty.

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A network of more than 700 fake social media accounts has sprung up in the last week of Germany's election campaign.

Merz, a man who has never held a government role, is preparing to take the reins in Germany just as the country faces economic and diplomatic crises.

Germany's mainstream conservatives have won the country's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the country's second-largest party.