Germany's incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said an 'absolute priority' for him will be to distance Europe from the U.S. following comments by President Donald Trump.

While the far right made historic gains in Germany’s pivotal federal elections on Sunday, the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party ultimately thrived with Friedrich Merz securing nearly 29% of the vote and placing him in the top spot to lead the country.

The votes were still being counted Sunday but the results were clear: Germany’s conservative Friedrich Merz is the new chancellor. And he wants nothing to do with U.S. President Donald Trump. Merz’s CDU/CSU–Christian Democrats,

Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz could be left with little room to ease fiscal policy, Berenberg's Holger Schmieding said in a note. The populist AfD and Left parties garnered more than one-third of seats and could block any changes to the German constitution.

Friedrich Merz’s conservatives triumphed in Germany’s elections, obtaining over 28% of the vote, as the far-right AfD gained over 20%. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a historic defeat with just 16%,

According to the exit polls and partial counting, Merz’s Union bloc garnered around 28.5% votes, while the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany's support was projected to be 20.5%.

Germany's likely next chancellor warned Europe can no longer rely on its American allies: "I never thought I would end up one day having to say that."

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s conservative opposition, achieved a modest victory in the national election. The far-right AfD doubled its support, marking a historic showing.

Europe will need to defend itself and can no longer rely on the US, says man likely to become next German chancellor