Germany's likely next Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned on Sunday whether NATO would remain in its "current form" by June in light of comments by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, and said Europe must quickly establish an independent defence capability.

Germany's mainstream conservatives have won the country's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the country's second-largest party.

I wonder whether in June we will still be talking about NATO in its current form, or whether we will have to create an independent European defense structure much sooner,” Merz said. He noted that he had never previously considered such a position,

Election winner likens the Trump administration to Putin’s Russia as he bids to take Europe in a new direction.

Merz expressed concern over changing relations with Washington under the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from the U.S.