Europe’s biggest economy is the 27-nation European Union’s most populous nation and a leading member of NATO, as well as the second-biggest weapons supplier to Ukraine, after the United States, following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Germany’s next government will be central to Europe’s response to an assertive new U.S. administration.

Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union is favored to replace Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party as chancellor. It’s not yet clear what governing coalitions will be possible.

German voters will head to the polls this weekend to elect new leadership, marking a decisive election that will help shape how Europe responds to the new Trump administration. Why it matters: As Europe's biggest economy and the largest member of the European Union,