By Benoit Van Overstraeten, Andreas Rinke and Anna Koper BERLIN/PARIS/WARSAW (Reuters) -Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled a new start in relations with European partners France and Poland,

Supporters of Mr. Merz, a former corporate lawyer, say he is well-prepared and thoughtful, but critics accuse him of failing to think more than one step ahead and breaking promises.

Merz' appointment ends six months of political deadlock in the country after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government in November.