Part 4/7:
A significant hurdle for Merz will be the formation of a new government, as his party does not hold an outright majority. Therefore, forging a coalition with other parties is essential. One notable obstacle is the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which finished second in the elections. Merz has categorically ruled out collaboration with them, citing their extremist positions and anti-European Union sentiments. With limited viable partners remaining—mainly the Social Democrats or the Greens—the complexity of coalition negotiations looms large.