He has vowed to prioritize European unity and the continent’s security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated conservative leader Friedrich Merz on his victory in Sunday's parliamentary election. A spokeswoman for Merkel told the Funke media group on Monday that she texted Merz to offer her congratulations and wish him good luck in building a coalition.

Across Europe the old order is collapsing while the nationalist right makes sweeping gains. Giorgia Meloni – once branded “Far Right” by most of Europe’s media - is in power in Italy. In the Netherlands anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders heads the electorate’s favourite party.