The conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has won Germany’s national election, positioning them to lead the next coalition government, according to preliminary results. This outcome suggests that the party’s leader, Friedrich Merz, is set to become Germany’s next chancellor.
Here’s an overview of the election outcomes and expectations for Germany’s new leadership:
- Key Election Results: Conservative and right-wing parties emerged at the top. The CDU, alongside its partner the Christian Social Union (CSU), secured 28.6% of the vote, while the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) came in second with 20.8%. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) placed third with a significant drop to 16.4%, acknowledging a "bitter" defeat. The Greens and the far-left Die Linke party also secured seats in parliament.
- Parliamentary Seats: The CDU/CSU alliance is expected to win 208 seats, the AfD 152, the SPD 120, the Greens 85, and Die Linke 64.
- Who is Friedrich Merz: At 69, Merz is a multimillionaire lawyer with a long career in and out of politics. He was re-elected as the CDU’s leader in 2022 after Angela Merkel’s retirement. Merz favors European "independence" from the United States, aiming to strengthen Germany’s role in European affairs.
- The Significance of AfD’s Result: The AfD’s increase to 20.8% of the vote, more than double their 2021 support, indicates a rise in populist sentiment among voters critical of immigration and the European Union. Despite this, the AfD is unlikely to be invited into a coalition but has still solidified its position within Europe’s right-wing political landscape.
- Other Notable Gains: The Left party nearly doubled its share to 8.8%, performing exceptionally in Berlin. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a new populist left-wing party, just missed the 5% needed for parliamentary seats.
- Performance of Other Parties: The Greens and the Federal Democratic Party (FDP) suffered drops in support, with the FDP notably falling below the 5% threshold and thus set to lose all their seats.
- What’s Next: Merz faces the challenge of forming a coalition government. He has ruled out working with the AfD and may form an alliance with the SPD, replicating past grand coalitions. The composition of the next government could significantly influence Merz’s foreign policy ambitions for Germany.
- AfD’s Reaction: Despite not expected to join the coalition, AfD leaders heralded the party’s performance as historic, arguing for their inclusion in government and warning against "electoral fraud" if Merz opts for a left-leaning coalition.
