Germany Election Results: Merz Wins Lackluster Victory as AfD Scores Historic Gain

Image credits: Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP

Germany has voted, and the exit polls show opposition leader Friedrich Merz and his Conservative Party on course for a lackluster victory in Sunday’s election. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, scored the best result for a far-right party since World War II, with projections showing support for Merz’s Union bloc around 28.5% and the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, or AfD, about 20.5% — roughly double its result from 2021. The election took place seven months earlier than originally planned after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s unpopular coalition collapsed in November, three years into a term that was increasingly marred by infighting.

The campaign was dominated by worries about the years-long stagnation of Europe’s biggest economy and pressure to curb migration — something that caused friction after Merz pushed hard in recent weeks for a tougher approach. It took place against a background of growing uncertainty over the future of Ukraine and Europe’s alliance with the United States. Germany is the most populous country in the 27-nation European Union and a leading member of NATO, making it central to shaping the continent’s response to the challenges of the coming years, including the Trump administration’s confrontational foreign and trade policy. The election results will have significant implications for Germany's economic and foreign policy, as well as its role in European and global affairs.

The projections put support for Scholz’s Social Democrats at just over 16%, far lower than in the last election and below their previous post-war low of 20.5% from 2017. The environmentalist Greens, their remaining partners in the outgoing government, were on about 12%. Out of three smaller parties, one — the hard-left Left Party — strengthened its position, winning up to 9% of the vote after a remarkable comeback. The pro-business Free Democrats, who were the third party in the collapsed government, looked likely to lose their seats in parliament with about 4.5%. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or BSW, was hovering around the 5% threshold needed to win seats.

Here are the key statistics from the election: * CDU/CSU: 28.5% * AfD: 20.8% * SPD: 16.4% * Greens: 11.6% * The Left: 8.8% * BSW: 5.0% * Other: 4.6% * FDP: 4.3% Whether Merz will have a majority to form a coalition with Scholz’s Social Democrats or need a second partner too, which would realistically have to be the Greens, will depend on whether the BSW gets into parliament. The conservative leader said that “the most important thing is to re-establish a viable government in Germany as quickly as possible.” Merz has repeatedly ruled out working with AfD, as have other mainstream parties — and did so again in a televised post-election exchange with Weidel and other leaders.

The election results reflect a shift in the German political landscape, with the far-right AfD gaining significant ground and the traditional mainstream parties facing challenges in forming a coalition government. The outcome of the election will have far-reaching consequences for Germany's domestic and foreign policy, as well as its role in European and global affairs. As the country navigates the complexities of coalition talks and government formation, it remains to be seen how the new government will address the pressing issues facing Germany and Europe, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the rise of nationalism and populism, and the need for sustained economic growth and development.