Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz, known professionally as Friedrich Merz, is a German politician, lawyer, and corporate executive who has served as the Chancellor of Germany since May 6, 2025. A long-time figure in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Merz is known for his advocacy of conservative economic policies, Atlanticist foreign policy, and his efforts to reshape the CDU’s identity following the tenure of his predecessor, Angela Merkel. Born on November 11, 1955, in Brilon, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz was raised in a Catholic family with a strong legal tradition; his father served as a judge. Merz pursued legal studies at the University of Bonn and the Philipps University of Marburg, completing his education in 1985. Following his studies, he served as a judge and later entered the private legal sector, establishing a career that would later see him move between public service and corporate boardrooms. Merz’s political career began in earnest in the late 1980s. He was elected to the European Parliament in 1989, serving until 1994, when he successfully transitioned to the German Bundestag. He became a prominent, albeit sometimes controversial, conservative voice within the CDU. In 2000, he was elected as chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, establishing himself as a leader of the opposition during the chancellorship of Gerhard Schröder. However, as the CDU shifted under Angela Merkel’s leadership, Merz found himself increasingly at odds with the party's move toward the political center. After a long-standing, often publicized rivalry with Merkel and losing influence within the parliamentary group, he exited national politics in 2009 to focus on his career as a corporate lawyer and lobbyist. During this period, he held significant roles in the private sector, including a notable position as the chairman of the German branch of investment firm BlackRock from 2016 to 2020. Merz made a high-profile return to politics in 2018, capitalizing on the political opening created by Merkel’s decision not to seek another term. After two unsuccessful bids for the CDU leadership in 2018 and 2021, he was elected party leader in January 2022, shortly after returning to the Bundestag in 2021. As leader of the CDU/CSU and the primary opposition, he sought to distinguish his party from the Merkel era, focusing on stricter migration controls, revitalizing Germany's economic competitiveness, and asserting a more proactive role for Germany in European security affairs. Following the collapse of the incumbent government in 2024, early federal elections were held in February 2025. The CDU/CSU emerged as the largest party, though it required a coalition partner to secure a parliamentary majority. After extensive negotiations, Merz formed a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD). On May 6, 2025, after a historic first round of voting in which he narrowly failed to secure an absolute majority, Merz was elected Chancellor of Germany in a second parliamentary ballot. As Chancellor, Merz has prioritized the modernization of the German economy, the strengthening of transatlantic ties, and the maintenance of robust military support for Ukraine. His chancellorship has faced significant domestic challenges, including economic stagnation, internal coalition friction, and the political rise of the far-right. As of early 2026, he continues to navigate these complexities, balancing his conservative policy agenda with the pragmatic requirements of a broad coalition government. Merz is married to Charlotte Merz, also a judge, and they have three children. He is a licensed private pilot and maintains a strong interest in aviation.