Kathy
24 Feb Germany: Germany’s conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz secured a narrow victory in Sunday’s national election, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its strongest showing since World War II, doubling its support from the 2021 polls. The election, held seven months early after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government collapsed in November, revealed deep voter discontent and a fragmented political landscape.
Projections from ARD and ZDF public television placed Friedrich Merz’s Union bloc at 28.5% of the vote, while the AfD surged to 20.5%, marking a historic high for the anti-immigration party. Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD) suffered a crushing defeat, finishing third with just over 16%—their worst postwar result. The Greens, part of the outgoing coalition, garnered around 12%, while the pro-business Free Democrats faced a dramatic collapse, falling below the 5% threshold needed to enter parliament.
Merz, addressing supporters, acknowledged the challenges ahead. “The most important thing is to re-establish a viable government in Germany as quickly as possible,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of coalition talks. However, forming a stable government may prove difficult, with potential partners including the SPD or Greens.
The election was dominated by concerns over Germany’s economic stagnation and migration policies, issues that fueled the AfD’s rise. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla declared the result “historic,” claiming the party had moved from the political fringes to the center. Despite Merz ruling out cooperation with the AfD, citing fundamental differences in foreign policy and European integration, the far-right party’s growing influence has unsettled mainstream politics.
Scholz, conceding defeat, called the result “bitter” and vowed to resist the AfD’s rise. “That must never be something we accept,” he said. Meanwhile, Greens leader Robert Habeck urged Merz to adopt a more conciliatory tone, warning that the weakened political center required unity.
The election outcome underscores Germany’s shifting political dynamics amid economic uncertainty and global challenges. With Friedrich Merz tasked with forming a coalition, the coming weeks will be critical in determining Germany’s direction on issues ranging from Ukraine support to domestic reforms.
As Europe’s largest economy and a key NATO member, Germany’s political stability is crucial for the continent. The election results reflect a nation at a crossroads, grappling with internal divisions and external pressures. The world will be watching as Germany navigates this pivotal moment.
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