German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, tipped to become the next chancellor, said on Thursday he wanted to win back the lost trust of key allies and ensure Berlin is more assertive on the global stage in a speech laying out his foreign policy plans.

Candidate for Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz plans to introduce a ban on the entry of illegal migrants into the country. He intends to do this on his first day in office as head of the government,

The conservative leader wants to impose strict border controls after knife killings in Aschaffenburg this week.