Friedrich Merz

Cooperating with the second-placed Alternative for Germany, or AfD, was completely out of the question.

Just look at the recent interventions in the German election campaign by Mr. Elon Musk—that is a unique event.

The Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.

My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA.

The interventions from Washington were no less dramatic and drastic and ultimately outrageous than the interventions we have seen from Moscow

Washington’s interventions were 'no less dramatic and drastic and ultimately outrageous than the interventions we have seen from Moscow.'

The world out there isn't waiting for us, and it isn't waiting for long-drawn-out coalition talks and negotiations.

I am aware of the responsibility. I am also aware of the scale of the task that now lies ahead of us. I approach it with the utmost respect, and I know that it will not be easy.

For me that price would be too high.

I want to do politics so that a party like the AfD is no longer needed in Germany.

There would be no deal with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Cooperating with the second-placed Alternative for Germany, or AfD, was completely out of the question.

Washington’s interventions were no less dramatic and drastic and ultimately outrageous than the interventions we have seen from Moscow.

I hope that [the U.S.] remains a democracy and does not slide into an authoritarian populist system.

The German government and chancellor must finally take on a leading role in Europe again.

There will be no tolerance, no minority government [with the AfD], nothing at all.

A political order is now crumbling. What we have become used to for decades is breaking down.

That support amounted to interference in Germany’s elections.

What happened in this election campaign cannot go unchallenged.

I will never govern with the AfD.

We need to bolster aid for Ukraine

A Germany we can be proud of again