Europe must seek to “achieve independence” from the United States, Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said after exit polls showed his opposition conservatives were on track to win Sunday’s election,

Merz expressed concern over changing relations with Washington under the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from the U.S.

Germany's benchmark index added 0.4%, boosted by arm makers. Defence stocks Hensoldt, Rheinmetall and Renk advanced between 1% to 2.8% after Germany's conservatives won the national election as expected. The euro pared some early gains to last trade 0.25% higher at $1.0485.