Friedrich Merz secured the top job but only after losing on his first attempt, a surprise that potentially weakens his government at a fraught time for Germany and Europe
The designation is certain to inflame debates over whether the party should be banned, though some polls show it to be the most popular in the country.
The German government scaled back its prediction for 2025 to zero growth, citing the turbulence caused by U.S. tariffs, as well as stubborn bureaucracy and high energy prices.