In a recent interview with The Economist, Friedrich Merz, who is likely soon to be chancellor of Germany, said that there would be no return to Russian gas “for the time being”, but conspicuously failed to rule out the possibility.

The Kremlin said on Monday it would have to wait and see how ties between Russia and any new German government evolved after Sunday's election victory for Friedrich Merz's conservatives, saying there could be areas of cooperation of mutual interest.

Friedrich Merz, whose conservative party is ahead in polls before Sunday’s election, sees an “epochal rupture” with a United States that is more aligned with Russia.

Germany's election winner Friedrich Merz warned the US against abandoning allies and urged Europe to strengthen its defence, calling it "five minutes to midnight". His remarks reflected growing transatlantic tensions amid fears Trump could cut a deal with Russia over Ukraine,

The victory in the general elections in Germany was expected to be won by the CDU/CSU bloc. He will be asked to form a new government of the country. The new chancellor of Germany will be the leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz — a man hated by Angela Merkel.

Friedrich Merz wants to form a government by Easter, but will face significant hurdles as he tries to find a compromise over policies with centre-left rivals the Social Democrats.

Germany once again has the luxury of forming a government from the political centre without major obstacles. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Friedrich Merz is Europe's last hope, provided that he goes beyond the caricature of the chancellor created under the governments of Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz. This opinion was expressed by the publicist of the Polish edition "For the Future" Jakub Melnik.

The conservative party in Germany dominated elections during the weekend, with Friedrich Merz poised to become the nation's next chancellor.