Germany's Merz faces tricky talks with potential coalition ally

FILE - German opposition leader and Christian Union parties floor leader Friedrich Merz speaks at the the beginning of a debate about migration at the German parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Jan. 29, 2025.

Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz will start trying to form a coalition government on Monday after his conservative bloc won a national election that saw far-right and far-left parties hoover up support from disaffected voters.