Friedrich Merz, who is poised to become Germany's chancellor in a CDU-led government, has extensive experience as a lawyer and working with major corporations.

Friedrich Merz, the 69-year-old veteran German politician with a hardline stance on migration and an expensive aviation hobby, is the favorite to become the country’s next chancellor in the February 23 federal election.

German nationals are heading to the ballots on February 23, with the country's current Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, down in opinion polls. The leader's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are trailing in third place, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of his party in second.