German Election Results: CDU Wins as AfD Surges to Second Place

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Germany's opposition conservatives, led by Friedrich Merz, have won the country's election, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surging to second place, according to preliminary official results. Merz, an old-school conservative, is set to lead Europe's biggest economy and most populous state, after his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party won 28.6% of the vote. The AfD, which has been accused of using immigrants as a scapegoat, capitalized on recent deadly attacks and has even called for "remigration" – the mass expulsion of immigrants, regardless of their citizenship status in Germany.

The CDU's victory comes as Germany seeks to "achieve independence" from the United States, with Merz criticizing US "intervention" in the German election campaign. Merz has pledged to strengthen Europe and create unity in the region, which has been grappling with issues such as immigration, the economy, and the return of US President Donald Trump. The AfD's surge to second place, with 20.8% of the vote, has raised concerns about the party's extremist views and its potential impact on German politics. The party's leader, Alice Weidel, has insisted that the AfD is a libertarian, conservative movement, not racist, despite being classified as a suspected far-right extremist organization by a German court.

The election results have significant implications for Germany and Europe, with the CDU's victory likely to lead to a shift to the right in German politics. The AfD's surge has also raised concerns about the party's potential influence on German policy, particularly with regards to immigration and the economy. The party's call for "remigration" has been widely criticized, and its views on issues such as climate change and social justice have been met with skepticism. As Germany navigates its new political landscape, it remains to be seen how the CDU and AfD will work together, and how their policies will impact the country and the wider European region.

Here are some key points to consider: * The CDU won 28.6% of the vote, while the AfD won 20.8% * The AfD's surge has raised concerns about the party's extremist views and its potential impact on German politics * The party's leader, Alice Weidel, has insisted that the AfD is a libertarian, conservative movement, not racist * The CDU's victory is likely to lead to a shift to the right in German politics * The election results have significant implications for Germany and Europe, particularly with regards to issues such as immigration and the economy * The CDU and AfD will need to navigate their differences in order to form a stable government, with the CDU likely to seek coalition partners from other parties.

The outcome of the election has been met with interest from world leaders, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron congratulating Merz on his victory. The election results have also sparked debate about the future of German politics and the potential impact of the AfD's surge on European politics. As Germany navigates its new political landscape, it remains to be seen how the CDU and AfD will work together, and how their policies will impact the country and the wider European region. With the CDU's victory and the AfD's surge, Germany is likely to experience a significant shift to the right, with potential implications for issues such as immigration, the economy, and European unity.