Conservative CDU Wins German Election, AfD Doubles Support

In a significant shift in Germany's political landscape, the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU), led by Friedrich Merz, emerged as the largest party in the recent federal election, securing approximately 29% of the vote. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its best result ever, coming in second with around 20%. Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered a historic defeat, dropping to just 16%, marking its worst performance since World War II. The election results indicate a fragmented political environment, necessitating complex coalition negotiations for Merz, who has promised a stronger leadership approach compared to Scholz. The prospect of a coalition including AfD remains contentious, given the historical stigma attached to far-right politics in Germany. As the political landscape evolves, the outgoing SPD acknowledged the severity of its loss, while Merz emphasized the urgency of forming a new government to address pressing economic challenges.