How might Merkel’s successor manage Germany’s role in the EU?

The German election comes at a critical time for the bloc, which is grappling with the pandemic, defence issues and the rise of illiberalism.

Both front-runners to become the next German chancellor took a diversion from the campaign trail last week to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Their discussions in the Elysee palace touched on the EU’s pandemic recovery package, climate change and defence policy – all priorities for Angela Merkel’s successor. Macron is not the only EU leader eagerly awaiting the election outcome.