Friedrich Merz’s conservative party has won Germany’s recent election, outpacing rival parties but falling short of the anticipated 30% vote share. “Let’s celebrate tonight, and in the morning we’ll get to work,” Merz told jubilant supporters while acknowledging the significant responsibility ahead.
The real story was the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which celebrated a record second-place finish with 20.8%. Their candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, energized her followers but expressed disappointment over not achieving a higher result, suggesting that the current political climate might lead to fresh elections sooner than expected.
Early results indicated that while the election map turned light blue in eastern Germany, the rest of the country saw significant support for Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU). Following the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition late last year, Merz sought a strong mandate to form a clearer coalition with another party, aiming to address the nation’s pressing issues, including economic stagnation and immigration.
Though voters turned out in large numbers, with an 83% turnout not seen since before reunification in 1990, the CDU secured only 28.6% of the ballot. Merz has ruled out collaboration with the AfD due to existing taboos against mainstream parties engaging with the far-right.
The Social Democrats, his likely coalition partner, faced their worst-ever result at 16.4%, and outgoing Chancellor Scholz confirmed he would not partake in coalition negotiations.
Uncertainty initially surrounded whether the CDU could form a governing coalition, given their modest performance. The only other viable partner was the Greens, who had been mocked by Merz in the lead-up to the vote.
Elon Musk and U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s open support for the AfD has raised eyebrows. Vance faced accusations of interfering in the election during his Munich visit, while Musk made various remarks on social media regarding the party.
Despite the challenges, the AfD achieved a notable 10-point increase in support compared to four years ago, benefiting from a successful TikTok campaign that attracted a youthful voter base. Meanwhile, Trump applauded Merz’s victory, claiming it reflected a growing dissatisfaction among Germans with what he described as “the no common sense agenda.”
Merz affirmed that his “absolute priority” is to enhance Europe’s strength and independence from the U.S., a sentiment echoed by leaders across Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron called for unity in addressing global challenges, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized enhancing security and promoting growth for both nations.
Among the shifting political dynamics, the AfD and the Left party have surged in popularity among younger voters, indicating a potential change in Germany’s political landscape. The Left, once struggling to meet the 5% threshold for parliamentary representation, has seen its support rise, particularly following viral social media campaigns showcasing its co-leader, Heidi Reichinnek.
As Germany navigates these complex developments, the implications for national policies and the balance of power will continue to unfold.
Credit: BBC News
