Germany federal election: Germany’s federal election has come to an end, and the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, has won with 28% of the vote. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came second, securing 20%, marking its best result since World War II. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered a historic loss, finishing third with just 16%, the worst result since 1887.
Key Election Results
The CDU’s victory was a major win for Friedrich Merz. However, the rise of the far-right AfD was a big surprise. The party’s 20% share is its strongest ever result. This has raised concerns about the growing influence of far-right politics in Germany.
The SPD, led by Scholz, faced a crushing defeat. With just 16% of the vote, the SPD had its worst performance in over a century. Scholz called it a “bitter” result and took responsibility for the loss. The SPD is now in a tough spot and needs to decide how to move forward.
On the far-left, Die Linke made an unexpected gain. The party secured 8% of the vote thanks to a viral campaign. But the left-wing conservative BSW narrowly missed the 5% threshold required to enter parliament. It finished with 4.97%.
Coalition Talks – Germany federal election
Now that the results are in, the focus shifts to forming a coalition. The SPD has said it is open to talks with the CDU. However, tensions remain. Some SPD lawmakers have expressed concern about Merz’s cooperation with the AfD on migration policies. They also want to hold a party-wide vote before deciding to join a coalition with the CDU.
Merz is pushing for a two-party “Grand Coalition” (GroKo) with the SPD. He believes this would be the simplest way to form a government. He aims to have a new government in place by Easter. However, disagreements on key policies, such as immigration, could slow down the process.
Despite his willingness to work with the SPD, Merz is firm on one point: the CDU will not work with the AfD. He has said that the AfD will “cease to exist” once the CDU addresses the issues that have led to its rise. This has been a key theme of his campaign.
AfD’s Strength in the East
The AfD performed especially well in eastern Germany. The party won Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia. These areas have been strongholds for the AfD. The party’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, celebrated the results. She pointed out that the AfD had gained 10 points since the 2021 federal election. She even suggested that fresh elections could be held before 2026.
The AfD’s rise is concerning for many. The party is known for its hardline stance on immigration and its populist policies. However, its supporters view the party’s success as a rejection of the political establishment. They believe the AfD offers a solution to Germany’s challenges. Critics, however, warn that the AfD’s platform could lead to greater division within the country.
What’s Next for Germany?
The CDU’s victory and the AfD’s rise will likely reshape German politics. Merz will now have to navigate complex coalition talks. He will need to balance the demands of the CDU’s traditional supporters with the need to secure the SPD’s cooperation. Meanwhile, the SPD will have to figure out how to rebuild its influence and regain the trust of voters.
The next government will face major challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the divide between eastern and western Germany. The AfD’s success in the East has highlighted this gap. The new government will need to find ways to heal this division and provide stability for the entire country.
As coalition talks unfold, it is clear that Germany’s political landscape has changed. The next government will need to address the concerns of voters who have turned to the AfD, while also maintaining unity within the country.
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