Merz's conservatives win German elections, AfD grows convincingly

2025-02-23 20:58:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance, led by Friedrich Merz, has won Sunday's elections for the new federal government, with 28.5-29 percent of the vote, according to initial television polls.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is in second place with 19.5-20 percent of the vote, meaning it has doubled its 2021 election result, based on figures published by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

According to them, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's party ranks third.

Voter turnout was 83 percent, compared to 76.6 percent in 2021.

More than 59 million people were eligible to vote in the country of 84 million to elect members of the 630-seat Bundestag - the lower house of parliament.

Merz praises “a wonderful election campaign.”
If the poll results hold true, Merz looks set to be the new chancellor of Germany, the country with the largest economy in Europe.

However, to secure a majority in parliament, he will need to form a coalition with at least one other party, most likely the Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Merz addressed supporters from party headquarters, praising the "wonderful election campaign" and speaking with "respect for political opponents."

"Now we will discuss together, because it is important to form the Government as soon as possible. The world is not waiting for us."

According to him, everyone in the world should see that Germany has a stable and reliable Government.

"Tonight we will celebrate, tomorrow we will start work."

Scholz: We have to admit that we lost the election
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that the election result is "bitter" for his party, the SPD, calling the situation a "loss."

The SPD appears to have recorded what is its weakest result in post-war Germany, with around 16 - 16.5 percent.

Speaking to supporters in Berlin, Scholz said it was time to "admit that we have lost the election."

According to him, the party had better results in the past elections, for which he was responsible, and that the result now is "worse, and I am responsible for that, too."

Scholz congratulated Friedrich Merz on his victory.

Merz's conservatives win German elections, AfD grows convincingly

AfD leaders: We have a mandate to make political change
The growth of the AfD, an anti-immigration party, is the result of public anger over migration and security issues, following a spate of attacks carried out by migrants, and concerns about a weakening economy.

Despite this, the AfD is expected to remain out of power, for now, because all other parties have refused to cooperate with it.

AfD leaders have said they are very happy with the outcome of these elections.

One of the leaders, Tino Chrupalla, has said he is "very proud" of the party.

"We were united, our campaign had a goal and we were disciplined," he said, standing next to Alice Weidel, the other party leader.

"We can make epochal change," he said, adding that they are open to negotiations.

"We have won the trust of the voters and this should be something that everyone accepts," he added.

Merz's conservatives win German elections, AfD grows convincingly