The conservative CDU/CSU alliance has won Germany's general election with almost 29% of the vote, but the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) surged to second place with about 21%, nearly doubling its 2021 result. The outcome is expected to complicate the formation of a stable government as mainstream parties maintain a 'firewall' against cooperating with the AfD.
CDU/CSU candidate Friedrich Merz said he would seek to form a ruling coalition quickly, emphasising the need for a reliable government that can strengthen Europe and reduce reliance on the United States in defence matters. “For me, the absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” he stated.
The AfD, buoyed by anger over immigration, violent crime and high energy costs, celebrated its best-ever result. Co-leader Alice Weidel offered cooperation with the CDU, but all mainstream parties have pledged not to work with the anti-migrant, pro-Kremlin party, which has received endorsements from Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance.
Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats suffered their worst result since the second world war, with about 16%, after his fractious three-way coalition collapsed in November. The Greens slipped to 11.6%, while the pro-business Free Democrats failed to clear the 5% threshold. The far-left Linke won over 8%, and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance fell just below 5%.
US President Donald Trump hailed the election outcome, but Merz struck a critical tone, warning that Trump’s administration is “fairly indifferent to Europe’s fate” and questioning the future of Nato. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Merz, saying he looked forward to enhancing joint security. French President Emmanuel Macron also offered congratulations, stressing unity to face major global challenges.
