In first sit-down interviews since securing a deal to form the next German government, Merz lays out his foreign policy priorities.

In an interview with German tabloid Bild, published on Sunday, Merz gave an insight into his foreign policy planning for his first days in office which is expected to start on 8 May.

“I will … immediately travel to Paris and very quickly travel to Warsaw," he said.

The incoming German leader said it was important for Berlin to “work together very well, very quickly” with the French government and to collaborate “on a par” with Poland.