Germany held a snap federal election on Sunday (Feb. 23) to elect the 630 members of the 21st Bundestag, the lower house of parliament. This was only the fourth snap election in the history of post-war Germany, following those in 1972, 1983, and 2005. Voter turnout reached 82.5%, the highest since German reunification, reflecting the high stakes of the election.
The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), emerged victorious, securing 28.6% of the vote.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a historic second-place finish with 20.8%, marking its strongest performance since World War II and highlighting the party’s growing influence amid voter dissatisfaction.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered a crushing defeat, winning just 16.4%—a dramatic collapse from its 25.7% victory in the 2021 election. The SPD’s governing “traffic light coalition”—an uneasy alliance of the SPD, Greens, and Free Democrats (FDP)—collapsed, prompting the snap election, an unusual occurrence in Germany’s historically stable political system.
The SPD’s junior coalition partners the Greens received 11.6%. The Left Party secured 8.8%. The pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) failed to clear the 5% threshold, receiving only 4.3%, barring them from entering parliament. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) fell just short, securing 4.97% of the vote.
Coalition Talks Loom Over Berlin
Under Germany’s electoral system, no party can govern alone, making coalition-building a necessity. Despite his victory, Merz faces a complex path to forming a government.
The AfD’s rise complicates matters, as Merz has ruled out any coalition with the far-right party, leaving him with few governing options. With the SPD holding 120 seats, the Greens 85, and The Left 64, negotiations are expected to be challenging.
Merz, 69, who has never held a ministerial position, has set an Easter deadline to form a coalition. However, prolonged negotiations could leave Berlin politically paralyzed at a time of mounting uncertainty in Europe’s biggest economy. Until a new government is formed, Scholz will remain in charge in a caretaker capacity.
Observers warn that the delay in forming a government could stall much-needed economic reforms aimed at reviving Germany’s stagnant economy.
Merz’s Vision: A More Independent Europe
Following his victory, Merz pledged to restore political stability swiftly.
“The most important thing is to reestablish a viable government in Germany as quickly as possible,” he told supporters. “The world isn’t waiting for us, and it certainly isn’t waiting for long-drawn-out coalition talks.”
Later, in a televised roundtable, Merz criticized U.S. “intervention” in the election campaign.
The campaign was dominated by concerns over economic stagnation, migration policy, and growing uncertainty over Ukraine’s future and Europe’s transatlantic alliance with the United States.
Merz also emphasized his vision for a stronger, more independent Europe, stating that he aims to reduce reliance on the U.S.
“Europe must achieve real independence from the U.S.,” he said.
A New Political Era for Germany
With the AfD’s unprecedented rise, the SPD’s collapse, and a fragmented parliament, Merz now faces the formidable task of forging a stable coalition. His leadership will be tested as he navigates coalition talks while addressing the economic slowdown, immigration concerns, and the shifting geopolitical landscape.
With reporting by news agencies
