Germany’s opposition conservatives won the national election, setting leader Friedrich Merz on track to become the next chancellor, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its best-ever result, exit polls showed. Following a campaign marked by violent attacks and interventions from US President Donald Trump’s administration, the conservative CDU/CSU bloc secured 28.5% of the vote, while AfD garnered 20%, according to an exit poll published by ZDF public broadcaster, Reuters reported. Merz, 69, has no prior government experience but has pledged to provide stronger leadership than Chancellor Olaf Scholz, restore Germany’s position in Europe, and enhance cooperation with key allies. A brash economic liberal who has shifted the conservatives to the right, he is considered the antithesis of former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years. Story continues below this ad Despite the victory, the conservatives lack a majority in an increasingly fragmented political landscape and will need to negotiate a coalition, a process likely to be complicated by deep divisions over migration and the handling of the AfD. Scholz may …