Who is Friedrich Merz, the pilot politician tipped to be German chancellor?

CDU leader once sidelined by Merkel loves private planes, hates tax bureaucracy, and backs Ukraine

In July 2022, the prevailing political mood in Germany was grim. The economic powerhouse was on the brink of a recession, with Russia threatening to cut off its gas supplies. There were widespread fears of a decline in prosperity. The gloss was beginning to wear off Olaf Scholz’s coalition government.

Amid the gloom, the finance minister, Christian Lindner, got married on the North Sea island of Sylt. And one of the guests, Friedrich Merz, decided to make his entrance at the opulent, three-day celebration in his private plane: a twin-engine Diamond DA62, complete with personalised number plate.