Merz likely to be next German leader after Scholz concedes loss

Friedrich Merz is likely to become Germany’s next leader after his conservative party topped the voting in national elections held Sunday, according to exit polls.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat. 

According to media reports, the exit polls showed that voters rejected Sholz’s Social Democratic Party’s handling of the economy and immigration.

The New York Times reported that Merz’s Christian Democratic Party and sister party Christian Social Union lead the voting with a combined 29%. The Social Democrats had 16%, and the right week AfD received 19%.