Friedrich Merz, currently leading in polls to become German chancellor, said Thursday if elected he will impose strict border controls.

The conservative leader wants to impose strict border controls after knife killings in Aschaffenburg this week.

Friedrich Merz and his conservatives view Angela Merkel’s legacy as a liability in their battle with the far right.

In Germany, a toxic national debate on Muslims and immigration has fueled the rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland. Polling second place ahead of February’s federal elections, mainstream parties are increasingly playing into its rhetoric.

Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), firmly rejected any cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in an interview with public broadcaster ARD on Friday evening.

Tucking into beer and pretzels, the frontrunner to become Germany's next chancellor, conservative millionaire Friedrich Merz, is showing off his folksy side.

Friedrich Merz, the conservative frontrunner to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Germany's upcoming elections, is calling on the European Union to present a united front in response to US President-elect Donald Trump.

Friedrich Merz, who leads in polls to become Germany's next chancellor, pledges to ensure Israeli Premier Netanyahu visits Berlin - Anadolu Ajansı

Friedrich Merz, possible German Chancellor, wants permanent border checks after terror attacks by asylum seekers prompted CDU party leader to take action

However, some Germans blame the CDU, and in particular Merz's predecessor and longtime chancellor Angela Merkel, for encouraging the large-scale influx of asylum seekers and migrants, mostly from the Middle East and Afghanistan, in 2015.

Mr Merz argued the need “to negotiate with the American side from a position of strength”. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has darkened the mood in Germany a month before elections, as multiple crises shake the foundations on which Europes