Early results from Germany&rsquo;s snap election put the conservative CDU/CSU alliance in the lead with 28.5%, followed by the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) at 20.8%, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz&rsquo;s center-left Social Democrats (SPD) at 16.4%, according to German public broadcaster ARD.
CDU/CSU candidate Friedrich Merz is now the frontrunner to become Germany&rsquo;s next chancellor. However, coalition talks are expected to take months before a new government is formed. The Bundestag will elect the chancellor once a governing coalition is in place.
Merz, who has ruled out cooperating with the far-right AfD, criticized former US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, stressing the need for European independence.
&ldquo;The Americans&mdash;at least this administration&mdash;mostly don&rsquo;t care about the fate of Europe one way or another,&rdquo;&nbsp;he said on state broadcaster ARD.
The election was triggered by the collapse of Scholz&rsquo;s three-party coalition, which included the SPD, Greens, and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The FDP had withdrawn last year over policy disagreements. FDP leader Christian Lindner announced his retirement from politics following the election.
Voter turnout reached 84%, the highest since Germany&rsquo;s reunification in 1990, according to ARD.
Despite its electoral gains, the AfD remains politically isolated, with major parties refusing to govern with it. Co-leader Alice Weidel hailed the result as the party&rsquo;s &ldquo;historically strongest,&rdquo;&nbsp;claiming the AfD is now &ldquo;firmly rooted in mainstream society.&rdquo;
Merz has expressed his intention to move quickly in coalition talks, aiming to have a government in place by Easter. He may seek to form an alliance with the SPD and/or the Greens. &ldquo;Tonight, we celebrate, and from tomorrow we start working,&rdquo;&nbsp;he said.
Scholz acknowledged his party&rsquo;s defeat and confirmed he will remain in office until a new government is formed. &ldquo;This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party,&rdquo;&nbsp;he said. &ldquo;I take responsibility for it.&rdquo;
(With agency input)

Friedrich Merz could be Germany’s next chancellor

CDU/CSU candidate Friedrich Merz is now the frontrunner to become next chancellor

Conservative Bloc Wins Germany Federal Election

CDU/CSU candidate Friedrich Merz is now the frontrunner to become next chancellor

February 24, 2025 | 09:03 IST