Germany's parliament is set to elect conservative Friedrich Merz as its new Chancellor. The 69-year old is promising to revitalize the country's flagging economy and boost its voice on the world stage.

German conservative Friedrich Merz vowed on Monday to move swiftly to reform Europe's largest economy, a day before he is due to be sworn into office as chancellor and head of a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

The key personnel appointments in Germany’s new government are complete after the Social Democrats opted for a mix of veterans and newcomers for their cabinet members, with pressure building on the ruling coalition under incoming conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz to tackle the country’s challenges.