Germany’s conservative alliance, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), has emerged as the leading force in the country’s 2025 federal election, according to preliminary results released on Sunday evening by public broadcaster ARD.
The CDU/CSU secured 28.5% of the vote, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 20.6%. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) garnered 16.5%, while the Greens obtained 11.8%. Die Linke received 8.7%, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) attained 4.9%, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) got 4.4%.
With voter turnout reaching a remarkable 84%, the highest level since 1990, the election results will shape the composition of the next Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament. Parties must secure at least 5% of the national vote to gain representation.
Friedrich Merz, the CDU/CSU’s chancellor candidate, expressed his readiness to swiftly form a new government. “Tonight we will celebrate, and from tomorrow we start working,” Merz said after the vote. “The world out there is not waiting for us.”
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the SPD’s defeat and stated he would remain in office until a new coalition government is formed. “This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party; it is also an electoral defeat,” Scholz remarked. “I have the responsibility for the election result.”
Merz emphasized the importance of strengthening Europe. “Our absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence step by step,” he noted. He also questioned whether the next summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would still see “NATO in its current form.”
The path to forming a coalition government remains uncertain, as Merz may need one or more partners to secure a majority. The fate of smaller parties could complicate coalition negotiations.
As Germany embarks on a new chapter, the global community watches to see how Europe’s largest economy will navigate its future on the world stage.
