Even though negotiations to form a coalition have not yet begun, the head of the Christian Democratic Union party, which came out on top in Germany's February 23 elections, has already embarked on major projects in his country and abroad.

Germany's Greens may refuse to back plans by likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz for a massive increase in state borrowing, with a party source on Monday warning "approval is becoming less likely with each passing day".

Germany's likely next leader Friedrich Merz is set Thursday to defend his unprecedented plans to massively ramp up defence and infrastructure spending in parliament as lawmakers begin debating the proposals.