Germany's CDU triumphs in national election, Merz set to become chancellor

The CDU won Germany’s national election, with Friedrich Merz set to become chancellor. The far-right AfD made significant gains, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a major setback.

In a significant shift in Germany's political landscape, the opposition conservative bloc, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), emerged victorious in Sunday’s national election, securing nearly 30 percent of the vote. The result positions CDU leader Friedrich Merz to become Germany's next Chancellor, as he pledged to form a stable and effective government.

Addressing a jubilant crowd in Berlin, Merz emphasised the urgency of creating a government capable of swift action, citing global challenges that cannot afford delays.

“But now we’re going to talk to each other, and the main thing is to create a government in Germany that can act as quickly as possible, with a good parliamentary majority. Because dear friends, the world out there is not waiting for us,” he told supporters.

Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made unprecedented gains, finishing second with nearly 20 percent of the vote. This result marked a dramatic improvement, nearly doubling the party’s previous election performance.

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla declared, “We have gained 100%, and that is something you have to achieve in the first place. We are now the political middle, and you can see who is on the outskirts behind us—the parties we have overtaken.”

Despite the surge in support, the AfD remains politically isolated. All major parties have ruled out forming a coalition with the far-right group. However, AfD leaders believe the election results reflect a shift in public sentiment, particularly regarding issues such as migration and economic policy.

“The issues, our talking points about migration and the economy—these are the issues people want to have solved. What people voted for is a shift in the political direction of Germany,” said Beatrix von Storch, an AfD member.

In contrast, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered a severe blow, securing only 16.2 percent of the vote — the party's worst result since World War II. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the outcome as “catastrophic,” signalling a major setback for the incumbent government.

As coalition negotiations commence, the CDU, along with its Bavarian ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU), will look to form partnerships to secure a parliamentary majority. However, significant divisions remain over key issues, including migration, economic policy, and Germany’s role within the European Union. These factors are likely to complicate the negotiations.

The coming weeks will prove pivotal in determining whether Merz can swiftly form a government or if Germany will face prolonged talks before its next administration is established.

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