Conservatives Win German Election, But Uncertainty Remains

New Delhi, Feb 24, 2025: Friedrich Merz’s conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), won Germany’s election, securing more votes than any other party. However, they fell short of their goal of getting over 30%, which would have given them a strong mandate to form a stable government.

According to media reports, 69-year-old Friedrich Merz has never held a government ministerial position before, but he has promised to bring strong leadership to both Germany and Europe.

Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is considered a center-right political party. It is a conservative party that traditionally supports pro-business policies, a strong economy, European integration, and moderate social conservatism.

The CDU is part of Germany’s mainstream political establishment and has governed the country for many years, most notably under Angela Merkel from 2005 to 2021. While it leans right on economic and security issues, it is generally more moderate than far-right parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is more nationalist, anti-immigration, and eurosceptic.

The other big winner was the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which secured second place with 20.8%—its best result ever. AfD leader Alice Weidel celebrated, but there was some disappointment within the party, as they had hoped for even more support. In eastern Germany, the AfD was by far the most popular party, winning around 34% of the vote, according to a survey by public broadcaster ZDF.

Weidel claimed the result showed that Germans wanted change. She predicted that Merz would struggle to form a government and that Germany could face another election before the usual four-year term ends. While AfD dominated the east, most of western Germany supported the CDU.

In this election, the CDU campaigned on tightening immigration policies, improving the economy, and restoring political stability after the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s coalition government. However, Merz has ruled out working with the AfD, maintaining the "firewall" that separates mainstream parties from the far right in Germany.

Germany has been ruled for the past two years by a three-party coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz from the Social Democratic Party (SPD). His government included the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). However, the coalition struggled with economic stagnation, rising living costs, and migration challenges. Many voters became frustrated with their leadership, leading to heavy losses for all three parties in this election.

Scholz’s SPD suffered its worst-ever result, winning just 16.4% of the vote. Scholz admitted defeat, calling the election a "bitter result," and ruled out taking part in any negotiations to form a new government.

The Free Democrats, part of the outgoing government, also performed poorly, raising doubts about their future in national politics. The Greens, though still relevant, received fewer votes than before, with leader Robert Habeck being ridiculed by Merz before the election for his focus on environmental policies, such as promoting heat pumps.

Meanwhile, the AfD benefited from voter dissatisfaction. Many Germans, especially in the east, turned to the party due to concerns about immigration and the economy. AfD also ran a highly effective social media campaign attracting a significant number of young voters.

One surprising factor in this election was the open support AfD received from American figures like billionaire Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance. Musk made several comments on his platform X (formerly Twitter), while Vance was even accused of interfering in the election during a visit to Germany. This foreign backing may have helped AfD increase its vote share.

Challenges in Forming a Government

Friedrich Merz had hoped for a clear victory that would allow him to form a government with just one other party. He promised to tackle Germany’s economic struggles, reduce migration, and strengthen the country’s position in Europe. However, with only 28.6% of the vote for his CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), forming a stable coalition will be difficult.

Merz has ruled out working with the AfD, as mainstream German parties refuse to cooperate with the far right. This means he will have to look elsewhere for partners. But the Social Democrats have already rejected the idea of joining him, and the Greens remain a difficult option due to past tensions.

Looking ahead, if Merz manages to form a government, he will need to address major challenges, including reviving Germany’s slowing economy, dealing with migration policies, and maintaining strong support for Ukraine.

There is uncertainty over whether Merz can form a government with just two parties, as the numbers may not add up. If no agreement is reached, Germany could face another election in the near future.