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.

Germany’s next chancellor is likely to be Friedrich Merz, a former corporate lawyer who has promised to crack down on migration, cut taxes and regulation and adopt a hawkish policy toward Russia. Merz leads a center-right alliance that finished first in yesterday’s election,

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.

Germans voted for a change of leadership on Sunday, with historically reliable exit polls from a parliamentary election showing centrist conservatives in the lead and the far right in second. The results amounted to a rebuke of the nation’s left-leaning government for its handling of the economy and immigration. That almost certainly means the country’s next chancellor will be Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democrats. But he will need at least one or two coalition partners to govern. “We have won it,” Mr. Merz told supporters in Berlin on Sunday evening, promising to swiftly form a majority to govern the country and restore strong German leadership in Europe. “The outside world is not waiting for us,” he added. “And it is also not waiting for lengthy coalition talks and negotiations.” The election, which was held seven months ahead of schedule after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition, will now become an essential part of the European response to President Trump’s new world order. It drew what appeared to be the highest turnout in decades. Mr. Merz has promised to crack down on migrants and slash taxes and business regulations in a bid to kick-start economic growth. He also vowed to bring stronger leadership in Europe at a moment when the new Trump administration has sowed anxiety on the continent by scrambling traditional alliances and embracing Russia. Exit polls showed his Christian Democrats and their sister party, the Christian Social Union, winning a combined 29 percent of the vote. The far-right Alternative for Germany, known as the AfD, appeared to be in second place. On Sunday evening, suspense ran high about the coalition that Mr. Merz might be able to assemble. Smaller parties could play a key role. Like other German party leaders, Mr. Merz has promised never to partner with the AfD, parts of which are classified as extremist by German intelligence. Elevating the AfD: The AfD, with its anti-immigrant and nationalist platform, has long been a pariah of German politics. A new band of influencers unafraid of confrontation had helped push the Alternative for Germany party to second place in pre-election polls. Jim Tankersley is the Berlin bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More about Jim Tankersley Christopher F. Schuetze is a reporter for The Times based in Berlin, covering politics, society and culture in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More about Christopher F. Schuetze Melissa Eddy is based in Berlin and reports on Germany’s politics, businesses and its economy. More about Melissa Eddy A New Chinese Embassy: Britain appears ready to approve what would be the largest diplomatic outpost in Europe, but neighbors and activists in London fear tapped phone lines and suppressed protests. Greenland’s Big Moment: Ignored for most of its existence, the huge ice-bound island has been thrust into a geopolitical maelstrom. It’s trying to make the most of it. Cambodia’s Art Come Home: Foreign institutions and collectors are returning artifacts with deep spiritual meaning. But where and how to display them remain open questions. One Lake, Two Worlds: The Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu offers leisure. Across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the lake was recently the site of devastation after a rebel offensive. Okinawa, Caught Between Two Powers: Residents of the Japanese island see U.S. bases as a legacy of war, but younger generations also worry about a threat from China.

The election came as Germany and the rest of Europe grapple with the new Trump administration, the Russia-Ukraine war and security across the continent. German exit polls show opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives leading in the election,

The approaches of the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union, candidate for chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz towards Russia are specific and aggressive. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a press conference following his visit to Qatar.

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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.

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