New Delhi, Feb. 26 -- Germany's Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) emerged as the clear winner in the country's national election. Conservative leader Friedrich Merz is set to become the next Chancellor of Germany amid turbulent times for both the European Union (EU) and the world. This comes as US President Donald Trump has unilaterally opened so-called "peace negotiations" with Russia, called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator, and threatened to withdraw support from NATO and Europe.

Against this backdrop, what does Merz's rise to power mean for Europe? What does it signal for the future of the EU-US relationship? Will Germany, under Merz's leadership, recalibrate transatlantic security partnersh...