Conservative Party Wins Legislative Elections in Germany
Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have emerged victorious in the recent legislative elections in Germany, surpassing the extreme right-wing party, which achieved its best result in history, according to polls released by public television networks. The conservatives of the CDU/CSU alliance secured 28.5% and 29% of the vote, as reported by public televisions ARD and ZDF. In a significant turn of events, Alternative for Germany (AFD) obtained 19.5% and 20%, an unprecedented result for an extreme right party in a federal election in the post-war period.
The outcome of these elections is expected to have far-reaching implications, with Friedrich Merz, a 69-year-old lawyer, likely to replace social-democrat Olaf Scholz as chancellor. Merz has ruled out any government alliance with AFD and expressed his desire to form a government “as soon as possible” to address pressing international challenges. In a statement, Merz had written, “Send a signal in favor of urgent and necessary political change.”
A Historic Result for AFD
AFD’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, celebrated the party’s historic result, stating that they are now “firmly anchored” in the German political landscape. The party’s success can be attributed, in part, to their ability to impose their issues during the campaign, which was marked by a tense climate and several violent attacks carried out by foreigners in the country. The most recent incident occurred on Friday, when a young Syrian refugee was suspected of seriously injuring a Spaniard at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, allegedly with the intention of “killing Jews.”
External Influences on the Campaign
The campaign was also influenced by external factors, including the statements and decrees of US President Donald Trump. American vice president JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump advisor, publicly supported AFD, increasing the party’s visibility. Musk’s tweet on Saturday night, which read “AFD!” and was accompanied by German flags, further amplified the party’s reach.
The early elections were held on the eve of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an event that had a profound impact on Germany. The conflict led to the end of Russian gas supplies and the country’s welcoming of over one million Ukrainian refugees. The prospect of a peace agreement between the United States and Russia, potentially negotiated “behind the backs” of Ukraine and Europeans, is another concern that the new government will need to address.
As the next government takes shape, it will face numerous challenges, including economic recession, the threats of a trade war with Washington, and the questioning of the American “umbrella” that has guaranteed Germany’s safety. With a national participation rate of 52% at 14:00 local hours, significantly higher than in previous elections, it is clear that the German people are eager for change. Over 59 million Germans were called to vote until 5:00 p.m., and their voices will undoubtedly shape the country’s future.