In a recent interview with The Economist, Friedrich Merz, who is likely soon to be chancellor of Germany, said that there would be no return to Russian gas “for the time being”, but conspicuously failed to rule out the possibility.

The Kremlin said on Monday it would have to wait and see how ties between Russia and any new German government evolved after Sunday's election victory for Friedrich Merz's conservatives, saying there could be areas of cooperation of mutual interest.

Friedrich Merz, whose conservative party is ahead in polls before Sunday’s election, sees an “epochal rupture” with a United States that is more aligned with Russia.

The election came as Germany and the rest of Europe grapple with the new Trump administration, the Russia-Ukraine war and security across the continent. German exit polls show opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives leading in the election,

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The likely next chancellor is unpopular, and his country’s economy has stalled. But his penchant for risks could help lead to a European showdown with President Trump.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's mainstream conservatives, has said that Europe must become independent from the United States in security matters, after his grouping won the biggest share of the vote in federal elections.

Friedrich Merz is Europe's last hope, provided that he goes beyond the caricature of the chancellor created under the governments of Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz. This opinion was expressed by the publicist of the Polish edition "For the Future" Jakub Melnik.

Germany's mainstream conservatives have won the country's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the country's second-largest party.

Germany could approve a fund to boost defence spending before the outgoing parliament steps down next month, while leaving debate over state borrowing limits to new lawmakers elected on Sunday, an ally of vote winner Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday.