Overview

• If elected on May 6, Friedrich Merz will take office at 69, becoming Germany's second-oldest chancellor after Konrad Adenauer.
• Merz launched his campaign in January 2025 with a symbolic visit to Adenauer’s Rhöndorf memorial, drawing historical parallels to the CDU icon.
• Acknowledging his age on the 'Hotel Matze' podcast, Merz expressed confidence in his physical and mental capacity for leadership.
• Experts suggest that while Merz’s age aligns with Germany’s aging electorate, it may limit the likelihood of a long tenure similar to past chancellors.
• Analysts highlight systemic changes in German politics, including party fragmentation, which further reduce the feasibility of extended leadership terms.