Conservative CDU wins Germany’s national election

BERLIN,— Germany’s mainstream conservative bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, has emerged victorious in the national election, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to become the country’s second-largest political force, according to provisional results released by the electoral authority.

The election was dominated by concerns over economic stagnation, migration policies, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, including Germany’s role in Ukraine and its relationship with the United States.

Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), along with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), secured a combined majority in the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, after several smaller parties failed to meet the electoral threshold.

With 208 seats in the 630-seat Bundestag, Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance is now in the strongest position to form a new government.

The SPD, led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered a significant setback, falling to 120 seats. The Greens secured 85 seats, while the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), which triggered early elections by exiting the previous coalition, failed to reach the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation.

The AfD made historic gains, winning 152 seats—its best result since its founding in 2013. However, other parties have maintained a firm stance against forming coalitions with the far-right party, which remains under scrutiny by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency for suspected extremist ties.

The agency has classified AfD branches in several eastern states as “proven right-wing extremist” groups.

The election was called seven months ahead of schedule after Scholz’s coalition collapsed in November due to internal disputes. Voter turnout reflected widespread dissatisfaction, with no candidate generating strong enthusiasm.

Speaking to supporters on election night, Merz emphasized his commitment to strengthening European unity in the face of geopolitical pressures, particularly from the United States and Russia.

“I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead,” Merz said. “We have seen direct interventions in our election campaign, including from figures like Elon Musk. The pressure from Washington has been just as significant as the pressure from Moscow.”

Germany, the most populous country in the European Union and a key NATO member, has played a crucial role in supplying military aid to Ukraine.

Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to European stability while signaling concerns over potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under a possible second Trump administration.

“The world isn’t going to wait for us,” Merz said. “Our priority now is to quickly establish a stable and effective government to tackle the challenges ahead.”

While coalition negotiations are expected to take weeks, Merz aims to have a government in place by Easter, ensuring Germany’s leadership remains decisive in shaping Europe’s future.

(With files from AP)