Friedrich Merz did not rule out common European Union borrowing for defence on Friday during his first trip to Brussels as German chancellor, but said it could only be for exceptional circumstances and that he was worried about rising global debt.

The conservative politician had unexpectedly failed to secure enough support in the initial round of parliamentary voting.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to arrive in Brussels on Friday for talks with top EU and NATO officials, marking his second foreign trip since taking office earlier this week. Merz is scheduled to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte,