Friedrich Merz looks likely to be Germany’s next leader but how will he defuse the AfD?

The CDU chief has had a smooth lead but he must act to halt the march of far-right voters before the general election

Everyone is terrified of a far-right return in Germany. Here's why it won't happen

Friedrich Merz, Germany's mercurial conservative opposition chief and a passionate hobby pilot, should be flying high these days as the country's hotly tipped next leader.

One year before the next general election, his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has enjoyed a comfortable lead for months with about 32% support, nearly double the score of its nearest competitors, as the fractious government led by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz plumbs new depths of disfavour.