Friedrich Merz, who is poised to become Germany’s next chancellor, has warned Nato could be finished and Europe must prepare to build an alliance “independent” from the US.

In stark comments, Mr Merz, 69, leader of the centre-Right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), suggested the continent may have to “quickly” establish an “independent European defence capability”.

After exit-polls predicted Mr Merz would win the election, Donald Trump hailed the result as a “great day for Germany and for the United States of America”.

But Mr Merz said Europe’s 80-year alliance with the US could be consigned to history, as he believes Mr Trump is “indifferent” about the continent in blunt remarks about his plans for his upcoming administration.

In stinging criticism of Mr Trump, the CDU leader likened the Trump administration’s tactics to Moscow after Elon Musk backed the far-right AfD in the German election.

“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” Mr Merz said.

“I never thought I would have to say something like this on a television program. But after Donald Trump’s statements last week at the latest, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.”

He added: “I am very curious to see how we are heading towards the Nato summit at the end of June,” he said. “Whether we will still be talking about Nato in its current form or whether we will have to establish an independent European defence capability much more quickly.”

Following a campaign roiled by violent terror attacks, the conservative CDU/CSU bloc won 28.5 per cent of the vote, followed by the AfD with 20.5 per cent, said a projection published late on Sunday by ZDF broadcaster.