It’s the liberal German dilemma: Merz is anathema, but he might stand up to Trump | John Kampfner

German Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz has used every opportunity to warn of dangers of the Trumpian new world order.

He has not sought to provide reassurance, something that Germans tend to crave from their politicians.

Merz now accepts that a special, longer-term fund is required to pay for enhanced defence.

For the French and Brits , the US about-turn and warm embrace of Vladimir Putin is horrifying.

With the SPD washed up, the Greens remained the alternative for some voters.

Die Linke (the Left) galvanised under younger leadership, with an uplifting, radical domestic agenda.

But what about its position on Russia ? Will it really side with the Putin -loving Alternative für Deutschland in voting against defence increases?.