Summary: The German election results mark a political shift, with Friedrich Merz’s conservative alliance securing victory and the far-right AfD making historic gains. Trump hails the outcome, while Merz calls for Europe’s “real independence” from the U.S.
Germany’s political landscape witnessed a seismic shift as the conservative alliance, led by Friedrich Merz, emerged victorious in the national election. Exit polls confirmed Merz’s path to becoming the next German chancellor, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made unprecedented gains, finishing in second place.
The election outcome signals a rejection of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left policies, a sentiment echoed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Taking to Truth Social, Trump praised the German electorate for choosing “common sense” over what he called a misguided approach to energy and immigration.
“Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration, that has prevailed for so many years. This is a great day for Germany,” Trump wrote.
Friedrich Merz Pushes for “Real Independence” from the U.S.
Despite Trump’s endorsement of the election results, Friedrich Merz took a critical stance on U.S. influence in Europe. The 69-year-old leader vowed to steer Europe towards greater self-reliance, stating that recent statements from Washington had been “ultimately outrageous.” Comparing them to Russian interference, Merz emphasized the need for European unity.
“We are under massive pressure from two sides, and my absolute priority now is to strengthen Europe. Achieving real independence from the U.S. step by step is crucial,” Merz declared.
Once considered a staunch Atlanticist, Merz has grown skeptical of U.S. policies, particularly under Trump. He even questioned whether NATO, the backbone of Europe’s security, would retain its current structure in future summits.
With no prior experience in office, Merz faces the challenge of governing Europe’s largest economy amid economic uncertainty, societal divisions over migration, and geopolitical tensions involving the U.S., Russia, and China.
Coalition Challenges Loom for Merz
Despite leading the race, Merz’s path to forming a stable government remains uncertain. His CDU/CSU bloc secured 28.5% of the vote but recorded its second-worst post-war result, complicating coalition talks.
The far-right AfD, which secured a record 20.5%, is politically ostracized due to Germany’s historical sensitivity toward extremist ideologies. Mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD, forcing Merz to seek alternative coalition partners.
With smaller parties like the pro-market Free Democrats (FDP) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) barely crossing the 5% threshold, parliamentary arithmetic remains in flux. A potential three-way coalition could prove unwieldy, weakening Germany’s leadership stance in Europe.
Rise of the Far-Right and Decline of the Left
The election saw a dramatic rise in support for the far-right, particularly among younger voters. AfD leader Alice Weidel expressed confidence in her party’s future, declaring, “Our hand remains outstretched to form a government. Next time, we’ll come first.”
Conversely, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) suffered their worst defeat since World War II, collapsing to 16.5% of the vote. Scholz admitted to a “bitter” result, while the Greens managed only 11.8%.
The far-left Die Linke party experienced a surprising surge, securing 8.7% of the vote, largely driven by younger voters.
A Nation at a Crossroads
With an 83% voter turnout—the highest since German reunification in 1990—the election underscores a deeply polarized electorate. While male voters gravitated toward the right, female voters largely supported leftist parties.
As Friedrich Merz navigates complex coalition talks, Germany’s future remains uncertain. Whether his vision of European independence from the U.S. gains traction or stirs further division will shape the country’s political trajectory in the years to come.