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).

Germany's conservatives under chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz on Monday announced their cabinet ministers, including an outspoken Ukraine backer as foreign minister, before they are set to take power next week.

Germany’s Social Democrats named their seven ministers to serve under incoming conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with SPD Co-leader Lars Klingbeil confirmed in the key finance post and Boris Pistorius continuing at defense.