Germany’s election results on Sunday have brought both a sigh of relief and a political dilemma. While Friedrich Merz declared victory for his CDU/CSU party, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured second place. One in five German voters cast their ballot for the AfD, which enjoys strong support in eastern Germany. Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a setback, slipping to third place.
Exit polls confirm the CDU/CSU as the clear winner, securing 29 percent of the vote. However, forming a coalition will be a challenge. The doubling of support for the AfD sends a strong signal of voter discontent—concerns over immigration, the socio-economic status of workers, and frustration with mainstream parties have all played a role.
Merz now takes the lead in coalition talks, but aside from the AfD and the much smaller Left Party, he faces potential partners that have suffered significant losses. While Merz celebrates his victory, AfD leader Alice Weidel calls the result a “historic success.”
Increased Defense Spending, Support for Ukraine, and NATO Commitment
The center-right party has pledged to invest more in Germany’s defense, citing the growing instability around Europe. Merz supports Ukraine and has expressed interest in playing a role in potential peace negotiations.
The CDU/CSU aims to raise German defense spending to 3 percent of GDP, aligning with NATO’s expectations. This increase would be a significant step for Germany, given its status as Europe’s largest economy.
