cheering exit polls put md in second place. he will not go into coalition with the md. the other main stories this hour: choir sings world wide — as he continues to be treated in hospital for pneumonia. and president zelensky says he would give

or ukraine's nato membership. our special coverage of the german elections. we're here at the famous brandenburg gate in bringing you all the latest on the german election. friedrich merz is expected to become the country's next chancellor — as exit polls suggest his centre—right grouping has won — although he'll need to form he 29.5% of the vote. the far—right alternative for germany is forecast to become the second largest party, with about we know other parties not with the far right. the main

party leaders took part in a with the far right. the main party debate took part in a with the far right. the main party debate tot the rt in a public debate on the way after the result. when the talk turned to germany's foreign policy the man likely to become the country's next chancellor said europe could no longer depend on the us as an ally. translation: the top priority is that we act l the major part of european policy has place to policy has taken place due to the election campaign. but i am in contact with lots of prime ministers is really to strengthen europe as quickly as possible so that we can be independent of the united states of america. i thought i would ever have to say this on tv. after statements week, trump's statements last week, it is absolutely clear us government doesn't care

this us government doesn't care about europe. i'm wondering as we get close the nato summit we get close to the nato summit at the end ofjune, if nato be in current form or will be in its current form or if we need to make —e ezisséza of own more capable of its own defence more quickly. that is my top and i am absolutely priority. and i am absolutely clear what is happening in the usa, even most recently, how elon musk has been interfering in the german elections. that is unprecedented. the from washington interferences from washington were just as drastic in a and shameful as those havehadi z m ' ttjcelifa’efisfiit" z m ' 7 7 7 have haidifro miivioscow. 7 w have haidifro miivioscow. we we have had from moscow. so we are under enormous pressure from two sides and my top — -77 is to make 7 is to make sure priority is to make sure europe is united. a very message frederick the day's events unfold and this is her analysis. with a spring in his step, the likely to be germany's next with a spring in his step, the likely usually ermany�*s next with a spring in his step, the likely usually pretty r's next with a spring in his step, the likely usually pretty dour xt chancellor usually pretty dour

his he in his demeanour. he allowed himself a brief at the 5 wflfaithfulf ” ' ' z mféiihzf'ulfriéfér;"y: ” 7 ”hfaithfulsbefore getting 7 7 barty faithful. before getting to serious business. down to serious business. translation:— down to serious business. translation: , ., , translation: dear friends, the world outside _ translation: dear friends, the world outside will _ translation: dear friends, the world outside will not _ translation: dear friends, the world outside will not wait - translation: dear friends, the world outside will not wait for i we need 1m we need ,; g our domestic us, we need to get our domestic right, we need to be politics right, wefleed to be present on politics right, wefleed te be present on the eu and 5191.9. present on the eu and stage. germany mote. present on the eu and stage. germany will have world stage. germany will have a reliable government again. celebrate now and 7 celebrate now and the let's celebrate now and the hard work begins tomorrow is what he said, frederick merz dreamt all of his life of becoming germany's next chancellor but he knows the at and q? " ”andabroad challenges at home and abroad are huge. germany's economy is so big, to such a key player in nato and the eu that success or failure here impacts all of europe. failure here impacts all of euroe. ,, . ., ,, ., ., europe. shame on you! shame on german europe. shame on you! shame on - germany germany _ europe. shame on you! shame on - germany germany as - europe. shame on you! shame on - germany germany as divided you! germany germany as divided as frederick _ you! germany germany as divided as frederick merz _ you! germany germany as divided as frederick merz was _ you! germany germany as divided as frederick merz was speaking i as frederick merz was speaking inside party headquarters, these protesters tried these protesters outside tried to drown him out. while on the

other of the hard we re were smiling through i i teeth. i i gritted teeth. translation: they us to half our they wanted us to half our support but we doubled it, said party leader. _..' ort but we doubled it said the party leader. since world war ii, the party leader. since world war ii. no — the party leader. since world war ii, no far— the party leader. since world war ii, no far right _ the party leader. since world war ii, no far right force - the party leader. since world war ii, no far right force has | ..e ehad .- - . �* ha d su ccess �* had success in ever had the success in germany. it will be frozen out germany. it will. be frozee oat... ,. .. .. --. .-- . . government, though, iftagffby considered too extreme by parties here. the traditional parties here. the md traditional parties here. the afd says they are even afd says they are wrong. even without the afd coalition building a tricky business. building is a tricky business. bargaining, bartering, even bickering is usual. but voters met at this berlin market i met at this berlin market today said politicians no i to lose. ' to lose. translation: a new fast. we need a new government fast. we are drowning in problems. money, migration, defence. i money, migration, defence. i think we need to build a new government quickly because the

government quickly becau. - . - feels government quickly becauseibe - feels like a government quickly because the feels like a dangerous world feels like a dangerous place — world feels like a dangerous place now. world feels like a dangerous place - "ow-— world feels like a dangerous lace now. ., , place right now. donald trump, vladimir putin, _ place right now. donald trump, vladimir putin, germans - place right now. donald trump, vladimir putin, germans worry | vladimir putin, germans worry about the safety and future of the country. and of ukraine. germany is the second largest donor of military aid to kyiv the us. the us. but j the us. but it's 5 the us. but it's not: the us. but it's notzsure after the us. but it's not sure it's ready to send boots on the there. berlin's ground there. berlin's gate is a military brandenburg gate is a military that's come to monument that's come to symbolise peace and unity. �* of which germany or have right now. this europe have right now. this is scrambling to get continent is scrambling to get its act together. tonight's results to results point to strong leadership from one its leadership from one of its biggest powers. adler, biggest powers. katya adler, bbc berlin. katya adler bbc news, berlin. katya adler is with us to talk more about the election. adler, the election. katya adler, editor. the comments we heard from w ”game friedrich? 7 heard from friedrich merz role in europe about germany's role in europe and its relationship with the us been a interesting, us have been a interesting, what you make of he said?

what you make of what he said? he is somebody who says germany belongs back on european belongs back on the european world stage. germany is and world stage. germany is one of europe's biggest it of europe's biggest powers, it is one of big three. is one of the big three. france, uk and germany. but you france, uk and germanyl..bcjtyocj had so much bickering for m1 mm [on in the out-coin so long in the outgoing government that germany has been mia, it is kind of been missing. and europe, when it looks there, it sees a very looks out there, it sees a very world and an unstable world and an unpredictable world and a china, frightening world. china, russia, normally able to rely on its ally, the on its greatest ally, the but no longer united states. but no longeze -.-.--, --. .. .. .-. donald united states. but no toegeze -.-.--, --. .. .. .-. donald trump. united states. bot no tongeze -.a.--. w. .. .. .-. donald trump. friedrich has -ointed to the other merz has pointed to the other two leaders of the big three, france and the united kingdom, to washington this heading to teee'n'natfin t'nie he by heeeiha ts teee'hihatfih tnie he by right heeeiha ts hee=hihathh thie he by right germany be there. 77 be there. so 77 be there. so he is in a should be there. so he is in a hurry as as he is 77 77776513637 777 77 7 77 773.112! thiecéhtioh, 7 7 77 will continue 7 77 willcontinueto be germany will continue to be distracted and he wants back business for germany and 2 e the rest of europe. the rest of euroe. �* for the rest of europe. and talkin: for the rest of europe. and talking about _ for the rest of europe. and talking about strategic defence for europe, besides the united states, without the united

states, without the united states, that is a message to the uk and prime the uk and british prime minister sir keir starmer. merz wants to work friedrich merz wants to work with the united kingdom, france and european allies, that is he says very what he says very strongly, does not germany for germany, that was the slogan of the afd party, this is germany for that was the slogan of the afd party, thi europe, any for that was the slogan of the afd party, thi europe, any ft have a europe in europe, which have a rally i have been to his demic rally i haveebeen to his demic his, this is a message he over and over again, says over and over again. wants to work the of europe has relied us, of course europe has relied on the us for its security since the of the war. it hopes not to lose united states. in the the united states. in the bigger picture, but bigggpicture, but now ukraine, specifically now on ukraine, it is for that of course and it is for that of course that britain's prime minister and french president head to and, frenicthresident head to next apdrfrenicthresident head to next week and it's a washington next week and it's a message that frederick merz wants to carry when becomes wants to carry when he becomes next but first he next chancellor but first he has to his government. has to build his government. what about on you see real conflict with could seeereal. conflict with european union, the eaeoea" una" freoer�*ek—~ ——— ~~ . ... . has talked the eaeoea" una" freoer�*eh—~ ——— ~~ . ... . has talked about the eaeoea" una" frederiehrrr ... ~~ . ... . has talked about turning merz has talked about turning away asylum seekers the 7 7 that

7 7 ”than" 7 7 that would not 7 777well77thatwoul7d7hot 7 "veuhiihthéuahot well with germany's: geoewn—welt with germany's and could put 77 7 7777r7eally 77 7 77 7 7777r7eally 77 with germany really in contrast with other european countries. more european are more and more european are more and more european are saying countries who are saying exactly the same thing. numbers of european sayin z-l— z 77sayin9 ”w” 77saying if you are an countries saying if you are an asylum if you are a countries saying if you are an asylum or if you are a countries saying if you are an asylum or if if you are a countries saying if you are an asylum or if you i you are a countries saying if you are an asylum or if you arej are a countries saying if you are an asylum or if you are an 'e a refugee orifyouare'an worker, are refugee orifyouare'an you worker, are ...7. refugee orifyouare'an you wo through are goo: refugee orifyouare'an you wo through legal’n—anfin refugee orifyouare'an you wo through legal means— 2—2: :-=:: if you come 7 if you come through illegal but if you come through illegal �*irregular means without or irregular means without papers to our country, we will turn you away. he is definitely papers to our country, we will turn germany he is definitely papers to our country, we will turn germany is e is definitely papers to our country, we will turn germany is not definitely papers to our country, we will turn germany is not the initely papers to our country, we will turn germany is not the only y not, germany is not the only country suggesting that as a way forward. but when germany does it if germany does does it come if germany does it is because is such a 7is such7a big country and 77 7 77_7 to the germany that contrast to the germany that europe new angela merkel, 77 �*77cha7nc7ello7r7,7777 7 77 77 �*77cha7nc7ello7r7,7t7h7e7 7 77 but behind you like, she embraced what if you like, she embraced what was called welcome was called germany's welcome culture and famously let in was called germany's welcome cultt�* i 5 and famously let in was called germany's welcome cultt�*i million mously let in was called germany's welcome cultt�*i million refugees it in seekers during the asylum seekers during the 2015-16 asylum seekers during the 2015—16 migrant crisis. and since russia make full—scale of ukraine, germany = -7 let in a further 7 bastet in a further 1.2 people as well. but now million people as well. but now the of germany are we can't deal 7 we can't deal with

saying, we can't deal with this, we want migration more regulated. and that where the far right afd has more mainstream here and pushing including friedrich 555? ifistbéifififfigéfish further emeee ineleeifiafneenefi further to the right, so merz�*s further to the right, so even though it be frozen merz�*s further to the right, so eve of hough it be frozen merz�*s further to the right, so eve of government, re frozen merz�*s further to the right, so eve of government, it frozen merz�*s further to the right, so eve of government, it will en merz�*s further to the right, so eve of government, it will be out of government, it wiii be 77 w ....2.a..... . - to see out of government, it wiii beets ...- . .. .. e- to see whether out of government. it will. he..- ...- . .. .. st to see whether it's interesting to see whether it's a big role in parliament now, a big fate in fartiante'nt'now; ’*** it a big fate in fartiante'nt'now; " it continues influence if it continues to influence government from the ggggrnment from theoutside. the success of the far does the success of the far right here show us that germany is the rest of europe is like the rest of europe you have far right where you have seen far right parties also be quite german 's far riht successful? germany's far right is very similar _ successful? germany's far right is very similar to _ successful? germany's far right is very similar to the _ successful? germany's far right is very similar to the far - is very similar to the far right in the of europe in right in the rest of europe in 7 it right in the rest of europe in it is not far afd sayingn�*t is’not far right. afd we are not far right, we says we are not far right, we are libertarian, we are we are conservative, what we are saying is we want to act in sayingeisewe want to act in interests. and they germany's interests. and they say migrants are say again that migrants are welcome into as long as welcome into germany as long as they come through regular means. were, they means. they were, they to society in contribute to society in respect so they push respect society. so they push back against the far right yes, europe, label. but yes. gtruss europe. have label. but yes. across europe. have seen the rise of we have seen the rise of michelle wie say, hard right, �*do you 7 7 �*do you want 7 7 �*do you want to 7 �*do you want to call 7

�*do you want to call them far or do you want to call them far we could debate a right, we could debate for a long time how these long time over how these parties to be described. 77 7 7777 nationalist but populist, nationalist parties, very much so. the afd is no new started in is no new party, started in 2013 but never the end of world war has a hard the second world war has a hard right party at this kind of fifiht parts at this: time??? 77 777 7 7 77 7777 7 77 7 at fifiht parts it this. “1217517 777777 77 77 7 7 77 77 at the fish}. parts it titie�*. h'heief 777777 77 77 7 7 77 77 at the ballot fish}. be“? it th.ie h'heief 777777 77 77 7 7 77 77 at the ballot box. fingl be“? it th.ie h'heief 777777 77 77 7 7 77 77 at the ballot box. they evenif even if are frozen out say even if they are frozen out of now, that of government now, that is undemocratic because they represent a growing voices in germany and if they are kept �*7theywill 7 back out now they will come back stronger next time. their supporters see that as a promise and others droroise and others here in see it as a threat. germany see it as a threat. looking at the other in looking at the other leaders in europe, how nervous do you are looking 7 are looking at7 think theyare looking at and how long it germany and how long it might take to build a coalition, stable government? as stable coalition government? as ou stable coalition government? as you in stable coalition government? is you in my report, the you saw in my report, the people of germany have not never ee—eie as re—te i:; eat eat never the the patience never mind the leaders in the other countries people 777 77 people we? ii people we spent a because the people we spent a lot of time with talked about migration, talked about foreign 7 security 7 7 security defence: affairs, security and defence, but the thing in people's but the main thing in people's mines is the main thing in most

who live in a peaceful people who live in a peaceful country, money. money in their country, money- moneyin. their how country, meneye moneyin. their how to country, money, moheyin. their how to pay your way to z -7ee:e ”43.1 mg " 7 7 7 5753 ofthe7mo7r71t7h7,7 77 7 7 7 end of the7mo7r71t7h7,7and77 77 the end of the month, and that really is in german to really is in german supposed to be mines, they want it sorted, their economy turned as well as 7 as7w7ella7s7a7l7l 77 7 gr.“ 2375737171 th7e77 around, as well as all the other things we have mentioned tonight. they don't have the j: 77 and7 frederick nahas 7— 7 it, not only him but the knows it, not only him but the others he would look to to form coalition government, they a coalition government, they �* it as well. that they will knee! it as wett; thet thesfl" 7 717777777” the knee! it es wett; thet those!" — —— — ~ —— the faith of the german lose the faith of the german if they mess too they need to get together novern. and govern. if;§j mentioned in our and govern. iii; - mentioned in your report and govern.— - mentioned in your report of you mentioned in your report of the war in ukraine. how do you the war in ukraine. howtdo you merz the war in ukraine. howtoo you merz leaning see friedrich merz leaning the support that forward the support that germany has given to the 7 until ukrainians until now? so, frederick _ ukrainians until now? so, frederick merz _ ukrainians until now? so, frederick merz wants - ukrainians until now? srr, frederick merz wants to giving support to continue giving support to as i mentioned, ukraine. as i mentioned, germany has been the second donor �* military largest donor of military aid the united states to after the united states to ukraine and he wants to continue that. what is more complicated what clearly complicated and what he olearly comfortably about the lead 7 7 the lead up 7 the lead up to 7 the lead up to the election in the lead up to the election was this idea of sending a back—up force, if you like

coming to ukraine. on the coming to ukraine. boots on the there really ground. there he really prevaricated. that will be very interesting to see what he has to say about that. but of we are nowhere near that course we are nowhere near that while people talk about because. while peopleetalkahcuurt there be because while peopleetalkahcuuit there be peace, = be a piece no ceasefire there be a piece no ceasefire deal, the war is waging in ukraine and we saw the biggest drone attack to date on ukraine today so minds are not on troops or helping peacekeeping troops or helping back—up of the piece or at this it anything at this moment, it is how to support ukraine and frederick merz is absolutely on = -e with that. board with that. 0k, you're ready to — board with that. 0k, you're ready to katya _ board with that. 0k, you're ready to katya adler, - board with that. 0k, you'rei ready to katya adler, thank board with that. 0k, you're - ready to katya adler, thank you forjoining us. good to ready to katya adler, thank you forjt you 1 us. good to ready to katya adler, thank you forjt you with good to ready to katya adler, thank you forjt you with we id to have you with us. as we discussed, frederick merz some really stark comments tonight, not only about europe having to be about europe having tone we ,. , w e, on defence about europe having tabe a, e. e a a on defence but also independent on defence but also saying that what have seen saying that what we have seen in washington has been nothing of77 77 of as brazen as what of as77 brazen as what has 77 short of as brazen as what has come out of moscow. the attempts to influence the german election. clearly frederick merz sending a message, not to the rest message, not only to the rest of europe and ukraine but also

to united states, to the united states, because has been a strong he. has longbeen a strong someone who tra nsatla nticist, someone who has transatlanticist, someone who has seen that relationship is a of german and european hear those words friedrich merz after the from friedrich merz after the election of course after he is ready 7 ready to 7 ready to lead these ne . otiations tells us coalit'ron negotiations tells us little bit about how he is ....... to . . 7ts perhaps 7 1853552507}; 7 7ts 527.755.5170? with trump and the trump donald trump and the trump administration. but we be administration.