Friedrich Merz, Germany's new chancellor, has begun foreign visits to France and Poland to restore relations with allies and reaffirm Germany's role in Europe

<p>Newly elected chancellor, Merz has embarked on his first foreign visits to France and Poland, aiming to revitalize relations with allies and reassert Germany's role on the world stage. Although he got off to a difficult start in the Bundestag, Merz is seen as a leader capable of restoring Germany's influence in Europe amid challenges in security and international relations. He plans to centralize foreign policy in the chancellery and set up a national security council, while discussing defense and immigration cooperation with European leaders.