Germany · Head of government

Friedrich Merz

Federal Chancellor of Germany.

Office

Federal Chancellor of Germany

In office since

6 May 2025

Party

Christian Democratic Union (CDU)

Born

1955

How Merz took office

The federal government CV lists him as Federal Chancellor since 6 May 2025.²

Career

1. 1985 to 1986Judge at Saarbrücken District Court²
2. 1986Lawyer²
3. 1989 to 1994Member of the European Parliament²
4. 1994 to 2009Member of the Bundestag²
5. 2000 to 2002Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group²
6. 2005 to 2021Partner at Mayer Brown, senior counsel from 2017²
7. 2021Member of the Bundestag²
8. 2022Chair of the CDU²
9. 2022 to 2025Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group²
10. 6 May 2025 to presentFederal Chancellor^2,1,3

Education

• Studied law and political science, 1976 to 1981. First state law examination 1982, second 1985.²

Official biography

Career facts only, from official biographies and reputable news reports. Checked 28 October 2026. Office holders change: see the sources for the latest.

Sources

1. United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service, Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs (list dated 20 October 2026) (20 October 2026)
2. Federal Government of Germany, Friedrich Merz CV
3. Council of the European Union, Members of the European Council (28 October 2026)