Friedrich Merz is set to become the next Chancellor at a time of great tumult at home and abroad, writes John Kampfner.

Europe must seek to “achieve independence” from the United States, Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said after exit polls showed his opposition conservatives were on track to win Sunday’s election,

Germany's benchmark index added 0.4%, boosted by arm makers. Defence stocks Hensoldt, Rheinmetall and Renk advanced between 1% to 2.8% after Germany's conservatives won the national election as expected. The euro pared some early gains to last trade 0.25% higher at $1.0485.