BERLIN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Friedrich Merz, chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is poised to be nominated as Germany's next chancellor, according to preliminary results of the federal election.

The Federal Returning Officer announced on Monday that the CDU/CSU (Christian Social Union) bloc secured a leading position in the election.

Born in 1955 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Merz studied law and served as a judge at the district court in Saarbrucken, capital of Saarland, from 1985 to 1986.

He served as a member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994, and a member of the German Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, from 1994 to 2009. He led the CDU/CSU parliamentary group from 2000 to 2002.

After leaving active political life in 2009, Merz announced his return in 2018 following then Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision not to seek re-election. He became chairman of the CDU and leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.

Besides political life, Merz has worked for an international law firm, served as chairman of the "Atlantic Bridge" association, which is dedicated to German-American cooperation, and held positions in the business sector.

His close ties to the business community have earned him a reputation as a "pro-business" figure within the CDU. He has promised to revitalize the German economy, aiming for an average annual growth of over 2 percent.

Merz advocates for a stronger stance on immigration. On foreign policy, he advocates for reducing Europe's reliance on the United States and rebuilding Germany's international standing.

Analysts believe that Merz, if elected chancellor, would pursue a more conservative political agenda. Enditem

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