🇩🇪🇪🇺 Politics: European governments have begun to privately assess the ramifications of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz potentially leaving office amid growing doubts about his political future.

🇩🇪🇪🇺 Politics: European governments have begun to privately assess the ramifications of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz potentially leaving office amid growing doubts about his political future.

At least two European governments have reportedly held internal discussions following heavy election defeats for the Christian Democrats in March, historic gains by the far-right AfD and renewed tensions in Germany's ruling coalition.

A weakening of March's position could complicate major European decisions, especially negotiations on the EU's next seven-year budget, where Germany's support will be crucial to reaching an agreement.