The recent snap election in Germany has dramatically shifted the country's political landscape. Triggered by the collapse of the "traffic light" coalition government, nearly 60 million Germans were called to the polls. The election was underscored by pressing issues such as immigration, economic stability, and concerns over former US President Donald Trump's potential return to power. In a surprising turn of events, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the second-largest party, securing 20.8% of the vote.
Friedrich Merz, the leader of the AfD, is now poised to lead Germany, Europe's largest economy and most populous state. His center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party garnered 28.6% of the vote, marking a significant victory. Applause and cheers filled the CDU's party headquarters on Sunday evening as exit polls revealed this outcome. These results underscore the growing influence of the AfD, which nearly doubled its support compared to previous elections.
The AfD's ascent has not been without controversy. The party has faced accusations of using immigrants as scapegoats and advocating for "remigration," which entails the mass expulsion of immigrants. This rhetoric has sparked concern among many in Germany and across Europe.
The snap election resulted from the disintegration of the "traffic light" coalition, which included Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democrats. The SPD's performance was particularly notable, capturing only 16.4% of the vote—a stark decline from its success in the 2021 election.
The socialist Die Linke managed to secure 8.8% of the vote, surpassing the necessary 5% threshold to enter parliament. Meanwhile, the Greens, who were part of the previous coalition government, remain a potential partner in shaping future governance.
Merz has been vocal about his intentions to steer Germany to the right and establish a strong leadership role in Europe. He emphasized his commitment to reducing reliance on external powers:
"My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA" – Friedrich Merz
Merz further criticized foreign interventions, equating actions from Washington with those from Moscow:
"The interventions from Washington were no less dramatic and drastic and ultimately outrageous than the interventions we have seen from Moscow" – Friedrich Merz
Highlighting his goals for European unity, Merz stated:
"We are under such massive pressure from two sides that my top priority is to create unity in Europe" – Friedrich Merz
The AfD's newfound status as a major political force in Germany brings uncertainty to coalition-building efforts. The party's rise has sparked debates over potential alliances and governance strategies moving forward.
