BERLIN — With Germany’s election less than a month away, center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz has thrown cold water on the prospect of reviving the country’s traditional grand coalition — bluntly declaring that he “can’t trust” conservative leader Friedrich Merz anymore.

Friedrich Merz, frontrunner for German Chancellor, plans to enforce strict immigration policies. His proposals include an entry ban for those without valid papers, increased border controls, and daily repatriations.

Friedrich Merz, Germany's opposition leader, views a second Trump presidency as a chance for EU unity. As he seeks to become Germany's chancellor, Merz emphasizes Europe's need for collective strength and sees potential in Trump's predictable policies for EU-U.

Social Democrat Scholz warns that Merz's proposal for permanent border controls would violate EU law, damage the economy, and threaten stability - Anadolu Ajansı

Despite the pushback, a recent poll published by the German tabloid 'Bild' indicates that the majority of Germans might be in favour of his stringent measures on illegal immigration. In an INSA-conducted survey, an overwhelming two-thirds majority reportedly backed Merz's strict stance on immigration policy.

Context: Brussels is “reviewing” its probes into tech groups including Apple, Meta and Google, launched under its landmark digital markets rules. Trump said he considered fines imposed by the EU on US tech companies operating there as a “form of taxation”, and has vowed to retaliate.

Friedrich Merz, the conservative frontrunner to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Germany's upcoming elections, is calling on the European Union to present a united front in response to US President-elect Donald Trump.

Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz, frontrunner in polls to become ... he would seek strong ties with Germany's traditional core EU partner France but also with Poland and ...

Left Party lawmaker Clara Bünger says immigration data shows that there is no national emergency in Germany. She pointed out that the figures show refugees make up just 4% of the population, and said some of those people have been in the country for decades.

Germany's government and opposition are clashing over border control policies. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz pushes for tighter controls with potential far-right support. The tension arises amid rising violence,

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has floated proposing legislation to tighten Germany's border controls, and claimed it would be on the SPD and Greens if he had to pass it with votes from the far-right AfD.