Friedrich Merz is a longtime rival of Angela Merkel who has tried to move their party back to the right.

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who hopes to become the next chancellor, is a millionaire ex-corporate lawyer who promises a return to his CDU party's conservative roots as an alternative to the far right.

Ten weeks away from elections and with a double-digit lead over his closest rival's party, conservative leader Friedrich Merz is getting used to being feted as Germany's next Chancellor.

Friedrich Merz, the favourite to become Germany's next chancellor, has denied his conservative bloc's manifesto contains unfunded pledges amid criticism from left-wing rivals. Merz told public broadcaster ARD on Sunday that economic growth and reforms to unemployment benefit would provide extra revenue for the next German government.