FILE PHOTO: Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting and leader of the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) Friedrich Merz looks on as he gives a statement with Bavarian state premier and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) Markus Soeder, co-leaders of the Social Democratic party (SPD) Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil, after exploratory talks in Berlin, Germany March 8, 2025. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo