CDU/CSU Wins German Election 2025: Friedrich Merz to Lead Germany
Germany has concluded its 2025 federal election, with the CDU/CSU bloc emerging victorious. Although the alliance fell short of its 30% vote share goal, it still secured the top position. The far-right AfD achieved its best-ever result, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a major setback, recording its worst performance in history.
Election Results Overview
The final vote count, released by Germany’s Federal Returning Officer, is as follows:
- CDU/CSU: 28.5%
- AfD: 20.8%
- SPD: 16.4%
- Greens: 11.6%
- Left: 8.8%
- BSW: 5%
- FDP: 4.3%
- Others: 4.6%
Friedrich Merz on Track to Be Chancellor
Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU/CSU, celebrated the victory, stating, “Let’s celebrate tonight, and in the morning, we’ll get to work.” The soon-to-be German Chancellor acknowledged the significant responsibility ahead.
AfD’s Strong Performance Shakes German Politics
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 20.8% of the votes, marking its highest-ever electoral success. However, its chancellor candidate, Alice Weidel, expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the results did not fully meet their expectations. She predicted political instability, stating, “We’ll have fresh elections sooner than expected.”
SPD’s Historic Downfall
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by Olaf Scholz, saw its support plummet by 10 percentage points. The outgoing Chancellor admitted to the crushing defeat, accepting responsibility for the party’s poor performance.
Potential Coalition Government
Germany’s Bundestag has 630 seats, with 316 required for a majority. Reports indicate the CDU/CSU alliance may form a coalition with the SPD, creating a stable majority of 329 seats. Such a coalition would provide greater stability compared to Scholz’s previous three-party government.
CDU/CSU’s Stance on Europe’s Defense
Addressing global security concerns, Merz emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s recent statements about the U.S. stance on European security. He stressed, “We must move towards European defense independence.”
Voter Turnout Reaches Record High
The snap election, triggered by the collapse of Scholz’s government, witnessed an 83% voter turnout, the highest since Germany’s reunification in 1990.
Conclusion
The 2025 German election results signal a major political shift. The CDU/CSU’s victory, combined with AfD’s rising influence and SPD’s downfall, will shape Germany’s political landscape for years to come.
