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Friedrich Merz’s center-right conservative party coalition, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) secured the highest vote share of 28.5% during German national elections in 2025. The far-right political party also peaked in approval rates for the first time since World War II.

The 2025 elections did not deliver an outright majority, and coalition-building will be crucial for forming a stable government. However, the CDU/CSU’s 208 seats in the Bundestag mark a substantial improvement from its record low in the 2021 election.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD), previously in power under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered a devastating loss, securing only 121 seats (16.5%), its worst result since World War II.

This election was marked by a significant voter turnout of 83%, the highest since Germany’s reunification in 1990. The results highlight a polarized electorate, with the AfD’s surge signaling growing discontent with traditional parties, particularly in former East Germany.

Surge in far-right support

The far-right AfD made historic gains, securing 151 seats (20.7%), becoming the second-largest party in Germany’s parliament for the first time. Meanwhile, the Greens garnered 11.6% of the vote, with the left-wing Die Linke party receiving 8.8%. The pro-market Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) failed to cross the 5% threshold, effectively eliminating them from parliamentary representation.

The AfD’s 20.7% result was the party’s best showing since its founding in 2013. Initially created as a Eurosceptic party, the AfD has transformed into an anti-immigration, nationalist force, with some of its leaders accused of holding extremist views.

Herzlichen Dank an alle Wähler und die vielen engagierten Wahlkämpfer. Die AfD konnte ihr Ergebnis verdoppeln – ein unglaublicher Erfolg, der deutlich macht: Die Bürger wollen den politischen Wandel! pic.twitter.com/7W6e3mFwKh

— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) February 23, 2025

Alice Weidel, the party’s co-leader, celebrated the results, declaring, “Our hand remains outstretched to form a government.” Weidel added that “it would be tantamount to electoral fraud if the first-placed conservatives chose to govern with left-wing parties rather than us.”

While no mainstream party is willing to form a coalition with the AfD, its influence over German politics has grown significantly. The party performed exceptionally well in eastern Germany, where economic stagnation and concerns over migration played into its hands.

Despite these gains, the AfD remains isolated, as the CDU, SPD, Greens, and Die Linke continue to enforce a “firewall” policy against working with the far-right party. However, the party’s strong presence in parliament will make it a formidable opposition force.

Challenges for Merz

Following the elections, Friedrich Merz faces an uphill battle in forming a governing coalition. Throughout his campaign, he distanced himself from leftist policies, frequently attacking the Greens and Die Linke, calling them “crazies.” This strategy, while appealing to conservative voters, may now limit his coalition options.

Traditionally, a “grand coalition” between the CDU and SPD has provided stability in German politics for decades. However, SPD leader Olaf Scholz categorically ruled out joining a Merz-led government. Following his party’s poor results, Scholz announced his resignation, leaving the SPD in turmoil.

The Greens, another potential coalition partner, have also been at odds with Merz, particularly on climate policy and immigration. Despite this, political analysts believe the CDU may have to engage in difficult negotiations with the Greens and the SPD to form a viable government.

Despite being in a tough situation about forming a coalition, Merz and other party leaders ruled out a coalition with the far-right AfD party after declaring victory on Sunday. During an interview following the election results, Merz emphasized that a coalition with the AfD is “out of the question.”

Merz also criticized the AfD regarding its Russia policy, saying that when it comes to Ukraine, the AfD has “not a single critical word to say about Russia.”

Merz aims to finalize a coalition agreement by April 2025, but the complexity of the political landscape suggests that negotiations could take months. “We now have just under eight weeks until Easter, and I think that should be enough time, at most enough time, to form a government in Germany,” he said.

US interference in German elections

Merz did not shy away from addressing the growing divide between Europe and the United States, particularly considering recent actions by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“I would never have believed that I would have to say something like that on television. But at the very least, after Donald Trump’s statements last week, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans in this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe,” Merz remarked.

🚨🇩🇪GERMANY’S NEWLY ELECTED CHANCELLOR MERZ SHARPLY CRITICIZES TRUMP ALIAS KRASNOV AND MUSK FOR MEDDLING IN GERMAN ELECTIONS

“The interventions in the German
election by Musk and from
Washington were no less drastic,
dramatic & brazen than those
from Moscow”#GermanElections pic.twitter.com/nquqCpC9WH

— Anonymous TV 🇺🇦 (@YourAnonTV) February 24, 2025

The election period in Germany saw unprecedented involvement from White House officials, sparking concerns among European leaders about the U.S.’s shifting stance on transatlantic relations. Trump’s recent move to push forward peace talks between Russia and Ukraine without Kyiv or European representation sent shockwaves across the continent, prompting emergency discussions among European leaders on a unified response.

Merz also called out on the affiliation between tech billionaire and Trump’s closest ally, Elon Musk, and AfD leadership. He described Musk’s involvement and speeches during the election campaign as an “intervention in the German election.” He stated, “The interventions from Washington were no less dramatic and drastic and ultimately outrageous than the interventions we have seen from Moscow.”

With growing pressure from both the U.S. and Russia, Merz emphasized that his primary focus moving forward will be fostering European unity amid rising uncertainty. “We are under such massive pressure from two sides that my top priority is to create unity in Europe,” he declared.

Economic challenges

Beyond the difficulties of forming a coalition and dealing with transatlantic geopolitical affairs, Merz will have to confront a series of economic challenges. Germany’s economy has contracted for two consecutive years, with businesses struggling against global competition and high energy costs.

One of the most contentious policy debates will be whether to reform Germany’s strict “debt brake,” which limits the structural budget deficit to 0.35% of GDP. Critics argue that this policy has led to underinvestment in infrastructure and defense, leaving Germany vulnerable in an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate.

The uncertainty surrounding coalition talks has also impacted financial markets. However, immediately following the election results, the Euro jumped to a one-month high, and Germany’s DAX index rose by 1.12%, reflecting investor optimism that a centrist coalition could be formed. The economic analysts warn that prolonged coalition negotiations could stall urgent reforms.

Merz’s stance on Europe and NATO

Friedrich Merz has also positioned himself as a leader seeking to strengthen European independence from the United States. In a post-election statement, he criticized the U.S., saying, “We are under such massive pressure from two sides that my absolute priority now is to achieve unity in Europe. It is possible to create unity in Europe.”

Merz further suggested that NATO might need to be reformed, questioning, “Will NATO still exist in its current form at the next summit?”

Despite these comments, Merz remains committed to Germany’s NATO obligations and supports sending long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, a policy that Scholz previously rejected.

Collapse of FDP and Scholz’s Resignation

One of the most dramatic outcomes of the election was the collapse of the Free Democratic Party (FDP). The party, which was a key player in Scholz’s three-way coalition, failed to reach the 5% parliamentary threshold.

Christian Lindner, the FDP’s leader, and Germany’s outgoing finance minister, resigned immediately after the election. Analysts believe voters punished the FDP for its role in fiscal austerity policies and the failure of Scholz’s coalition government.

Similarly, Olaf Scholz announced his resignation as SPD leader after his party’s disastrous performance. His “traffic light coalition” with the Greens and FDP collapsed in November 2024 due to budget disputes, ultimately leading to this election.