German citizens participated in a national election on Sunday, where opposition leader Friedrich Merz declared his party’s victory while Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged his defeat. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is projected to achieve the best performance for any far-right party since the end of World War II.
This election occurred during a period when Germany and the broader European continent are contending with various challenges, including the recent Trump administration, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and issues concerning security across the region.
Merz expressed his goal of establishing a new government by Easter, though the feasibility of this timeline remains uncertain. During a televised discussion alongside fellow party members, he stated, “We have nearly eight weeks until Easter now, and I think that should be enough time”. He emphasized that Germany would have functioned without a government holding a parliamentary majority for an extended duration.
Merz’s main focus, as he indicated, is to foster unity within Europe, particularly in light of the current geopolitical tensions stemming from both the United States and Russia. He remarked on the significant pressures that countries face from both sides, specifically referencing external influences noted in the German election campaign.
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the election outcome as “a great day for Germany,” acknowledging the conservative party’s victory without specifically naming it. He commented that the German populace is frustrated with ineffective policies surrounding energy and immigration that have lingered for years.
Herbert Kickl, the leader of Austria’s far-right party, extended his congratulations to AfD for its second-place finish, tying the rise of far-right groups across Europe and the U.S. to a public rejection of inadequate political practices.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also praised Merz’s performance, affirming that it represented a significant triumph for Germany and Europe. On the contrary, Robert Habeck, the candidate from the Greens, cautioned Merz to adopt a more moderate tone following an intensely contested campaign.
Concerns have emerged regarding the surge in support for the AfD, with Josef Schuster, the president of Germany’s Jewish community, voicing his shock at the party’s gains. He pointed out the significance of a substantial portion of the electorate casting their votes for a party associated with right-wing extremism.
An incident occurred in Trier during the voting process wherein erroneous ballot papers, featuring candidates from Berlin, were distributed. The error was swiftly identified, and officials ensured no further misprints were handed out as the day progressed.
Alice Weidel, leading the AfD, indicated the party’s readiness to enter coalition discussions with Merz’s bloc, despite the latter’s previous denials of cooperating with the far-right party. According to initial exit polls, Merz’s coalition is projected to secure approximately 28.5-29% of the vote, while AfD expects to capture around 19.5-20%—a significant increase from previous elections.
In contrast, Scholz’s Social Democrats are anticipated to receive around 16-16.5% of the vote, marking a disappointing downturn. The Greens are likely to garner 13.5% of the ballots. Smaller parties are also expected to secure seats, with one of the left-leaning factions likely exceeding the threshold requirement.
Upon conceding, Chancellor Scholz emphasized the ramifications of the AfD’s electoral success, condemning the rise of an extreme right-wing party in Germany’s political landscape while expressing hopes that mainstream parties would maintain their commitment to excluding partnerships with such groups.
Merz, acknowledging the significant challenge ahead, aims to expedite the coalition formation process. He plans to lead the new government as swiftly as possible, with ambitious targets in place.
The election was characterized by substantial voter turnout, as authorities reported a participation rate of 52% just before polling stations closed. This figure is notably higher than the pace observed during the last election, which was heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Lastly, the future of Germany’s political landscape will hinge on the process of coalition negotiations, which may take an indeterminate period, as there are no established guidelines mandating a specific timeline for forming a new administration following an election.
