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3mo ago

Germany Faces Political Shift as CDU Wins Election and Far-Right AfD Surges

Friedrich Merz's CDU secures victory while the AfD achieves its strongest result since 1945, raising concerns over Germany's political and social future.

German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz attends a press conference following the general election in Berlin, Germany, February 24, 2025. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo
Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) drinks from a mug ahead of the SPD parliamentary fraction meeting following the German general elections in Berlin, Germany, February 25, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
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French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) attend a press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

Overview

  • The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, won the German federal election with 28.5% of the vote, marking a return to conservative leadership.
  • The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubled its vote share to 20.8%, becoming the second-largest party and achieving its best result in postwar history.
  • Merz has committed to maintaining the political 'firewall' against the AfD, ruling out any coalition with the far-right party despite its growing influence.
  • The election highlighted stark regional and generational divides, with the AfD dominating in eastern Germany and gaining significant traction among younger voters aged 18-34.
  • Germany's political establishment, including the outgoing SPD-Green coalition, faces challenges in addressing economic concerns, migration policies, and the rise of populism.