Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz expects little to pass parliament ahead of early elections in February, dousing hopes from ministers to pass economic reforms in the coming weeks.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz has long been sharply critical of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government. Now, though, Merz appears to be in good position to become Germany's next chancellor. Would he really do things that much differently?

Germany's ruling Social Democrats officially made Chancellor Olaf Scholz their lead candidate on Monday for February's election, billing him as a safe pair of hands compared with the opposition conservatives contender who has no government experience.