Friedrich Merz, the leader of the German opposition, led the conservatives to a less-than-stellar victory in the national elections. Simultaneously, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) nearly doubled its support, marking the best result for a far-right party since World War II, according to initial projections. This signifies a notable shift in the German political landscape.
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02-24, 2025German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the defeat of his center-left Social Democrats, calling it a "bitter election result." Projections from German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF showed his party finishing third in the national parliamentary elections with its worst post-war result. The outcome reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the current ruling coalition.
Merz pledged to quickly form a coalition government. However, it remains unclear how easy this will be. The election was held seven months earlier than planned after Scholz's unpopular coalition dissolved last November, ending a three-year term increasingly marred by infighting. There is widespread discontent and a lack of enthusiasm for any candidate, which complicates the formation of a stable government.
The campaign largely revolved around concerns about years of stagnation in Europe's largest economy and the pressure to curb immigration—friction that arose after Merz strongly pushed for tougher measures in recent weeks. The campaign unfolded against the backdrop of Ukraine's future and growing uncertainty about Europe's alliance with the United States. These factors have significantly shaped voter priorities.
Germany is the most populous nation in the 27-member European Union and a key member of NATO. It is the second-largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine after the United States. Germany will play a central role in shaping the continent's response to challenges in the coming years, including potentially confrontational foreign and trade policies from a Trump administration. This places Germany in a crucial position to influence European policy.
Projections based on exit polls and partial vote counts showed support for Merz's CDU/CSU bloc at just under 29%, and support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) at around 20%—roughly double its 2021 result. These figures highlight a significant surge in support for the AfD and a relatively modest performance by the leading conservative party.
Projections showed support for Scholz's Social Democrats at just over 16%, well below the last election and also below the historic low of 20.5% it recorded in 2017. The environmentalist Greens, the remaining partner in the outgoing government, had 13% support. The diminished support for the Social Democrats and the Greens indicates a shift in voter preferences.
Of the three smaller parties, one, the far-left Left Party, strengthened its position, winning as much as 9% of the vote after mounting a notable recovery during the campaign. The other two, the pro-business Free Democrats and the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance, hovered near the 5% support threshold needed to win seats. The varying performances of these smaller parties will impact coalition possibilities.
Whether Merz has a majority to form a coalition with Scholz's Social Democrats, or whether he needs a second partner, will depend on how many parties enter parliament. The conservative leader said, "The most important thing is to rebuild a viable government in Germany as quickly as possible." The focus is now on the complex negotiations to establish a functional government.
"I am aware of the responsibility," Merz said. "I am also aware of the size of the task that lies ahead of us. I treat it with the greatest respect, and I know it will not be easy." Merz acknowledges the challenges in forming a stable coalition given the fragmented political landscape.
Alice Weidel, the Alternative for Germany (AfD)'s lead candidate, said, "We have become the second-strongest force." The party's previous best showing was in 2017, when it entered the national parliament for the first time with 12.6% of the vote. The AfD's significant gains demonstrate a growing appeal to a segment of the German electorate.
She said her party was "open to coalition negotiations with Merz's party" and that "otherwise, a change in policy in Germany is not possible." But Merz has repeatedly made clear he will not work with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), and neither have other mainstream parties. The AfD's potential role in future governance remains highly contentious.
Tino Chrupalla, the Alternative for Germany (AfD)'s co-leader, told cheering supporters, "We have achieved something historic today." The party leadership is celebrating the unprecedented success in the recent elections.
"We have gained 100%," he said. "We are now at the center of politics, and we have freed ourselves from the margins." The AfD believes it has transitioned from a fringe movement to a significant political player in Germany.
Scholz condemned the success of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). He said, "This can never be something we can accept. I won't accept it, never." The Chancellor's strong disapproval reflects the mainstream parties' concerns about the AfD's growing influence.
Josef Schuster, head of Germany's main Jewish organization, told Welt newspaper: "The fact that a fifth of voters in Germany cast their vote for a party that is at least partly right-wing extremist, that openly seeks contact with the language and ideology of right-wing radicalism and neo-Nazism, exploits fears and offers only superficial solutions must be a cause for concern for all of us." This sentiment highlights the alarm within certain communities regarding the AfD's platform and rhetoric.
In the nation of 84 million people, more than 59 million were eligible to elect members of the lower house of parliament, the 630-member Bundestag, who will sit under the glass dome of the Reichstag building, a Berlin landmark. The high voter turnout underscores the importance of these elections for the German population.
