Germany’s new leader has heralded a new era in Europe as Angela Merkel’s party has suffered a historic defeat.

Friedrich Merz issued a warning to the continent that the US was “largely indifferent” to their fate, saying Europe must become independent.

He criticised US officials for election interference after Elon Musk and the Trump administration showed support for the far-right party AfD.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on Sunday night, he stressed that his “absolute priority” was to “strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence from the US step by step”.

Germany’s new leader has heralded a new era in Europe