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Provisional results confirmed that mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz have won Germany’s national election, while Alternative for Germany nearly doubled its support, the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II.
What happens next? By STEFANIE DAZIO, GEIR MOULSON
Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, reacts to the speech of Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, reacts to the speech of Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Merz says he wants to begin talks immediately with the Social Democrats and hopes to form a governing coalition by Easter.
Only when a coalition deal has been reached will 630 lawmakers in the new Bundestag vote to elect the next chancellor.
The new chancellor will have to secure at least 316 votes. There are no formal deadlines for coalition-building or vote on the new chancellor.
Regardless of that, the new Bundestag must hold its first meeting within 30 days of the election, and when it does, it’s expected to elect a new speaker and his or her deputies. The speaker’s job is traditionally taken by the strongest party, in this case, Merz’s conservative bloc.
German business leaders say new government must act quickly to rescue stagnant economy Germany’s businesses have been frustrated by government inaction on the stagnating economy.
Sunday’s national election raises hopes of a stable two-party coalition of conservatives and center-left Social Democrats, with center-right leader Friedrich Merz as chancellor. But will it take the swift action business leaders are calling for?
▶ Read more about what leading economists and business figures are saying
WATCH: A political scientist breaks down the election results Comment from political scientist after Germany’s mainstream conservatives win the national election
Wolfgang Merkel, a political analyst from the WBZ Berlin Social Science Center, says there will be high pressure on Friedrich Merz to help solve some of Europe’s most urgent problems.
Germany will likely continue its leadership on climate action Germany has long been considered to have relatively ambitious climate goals and it’s likely that combatting climate change will remain a priority.
Currently, Germany aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2045. The country is planning to phase out carbon-polluting coal-fired power generation entirely by 2038 and already provides for over 54% of its electricity from clean energy.
Climate policy analysts are nevertheless hopeful that Germany will continue on a path toward slashing fossil fuels, but question is by how much — and how quickly.
▶ Read more about Germany’s climate goals
Merz wants to begin coalition talks immediately Merz says he wants to begin coalition talks immediately with the center-left Social Democrats.
Merz’s top three topics for negotiations: curbing migration, economy, and Europe’s foreign and security policy.
‘The problem happened already’ “I think the problem happened already seven, eight, nine years ago. The centrist parties didn’t really deal with the problems and then the populists had an easy time getting a lot of votes without solutions.”
Jörg Rudnicki, a 62-year-old laboratory assistant
What is Weidel’s background? Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), arrives for a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, the day after the national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), arrives for a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, the day after the national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Weidel became a prominent face of AfD during the election campaign.
The 46-year-old is popular within her party, but she is not a conventional far-right leader.
The party promotes the traditional family structure, but she is married to a woman with whom she is raising children. She is strongly anti-migrant, but her wife is of Sri Lankan descent. And she lives in Switzerland with her family.
AfD doubled its support on Sunday compared to the last national elections in 2021. It was a historic result for the party, and the strongest result for a far-right party since World War II.
Merz says Germany’s struggling economy must be tackled quickly Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), speaks during a news conference at the headquarters of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), speaks during a news conference at the headquarters of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Merz says Germany’s troubled economy is one of the most important issues that he wants to tackle as quickly as possible.
“We have to preserve jobs in industry in Germany,” he said, adding that he expects his prospective coalition partner, Scholz’s Social Democrats, to also “have a very strong interest in maintaining industrial jobs in Germany.”
Merz lists curbing migration as a top priority Merz says curbing migration to Germany and all of Europe will be one of the top priorities if he becomes Germany’s next chancellor.
He says that “none of us wants to close the borders. But we need to protect our borders better. We must regain control over those who come into our country. ”
Merz’s tough migration proposals during the election campaign triggered massive protests in some parts of German society that criticized his anti-migration sentiment as inhumane.
Merz is ‘extremely worried’ by AfD’s gains Merz says he is extremely worried about AfD’s second-place finish, especially after the party won so many votes in the former communist east of the country.
He told reporters that “we are extremely worried about what is happening in the east.”
He added: “We have to work together to solve the problems in Germany that are gradually removing the breeding ground for this party.”
Berlin resident wants quick coalition negotiations Well, quickly forming a coalition would be good, stable conditions and then act quickly. And then hang on for 4 years! Anne Müller, a Berlin resident
Merz says Europe needs to show unity for the future of NATO Merz tells reporters that Europe needs to demonstrate unity when it comes to NATO’s future role and also needs to clarify how much the continent is willing to spend on defense.
He says: “We will have a NATO summit in The Hague at the end of June. By then at the latest, it must be clear how the transatlantic relationship will develop. And by then at the latest, it must also be clear what contribution Europe is prepared to make to defense within NATO.”
He adds that he remains “hopeful that the Americans will see it as in their own interests to be involved in Europe as well,” though he warns that it is unacceptable “if the Americans strike a deal with Russia over the heads of the Europeans, over the heads of Ukraine.”
PHOTO: Weidel addresses media Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, AfD’s co-leader, address the media during a news conference Monday in Berlin after the far-right, anti-immigrant party’s second place finish.
Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD),, front right, and Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), front left, arrive for a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, the day after the national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD),, front right, and Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), front left, arrive for a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, the day after the national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Merz says he will find a way for Netanyahu to visit Germany without arrest Merz says he told Netanyahu that he would find “ways and means” for the Israeli prime minister to visit Germany without being arrested.
Merz was asked Monday about a statement from Netanyahu’s office that he will invite the Israeli leader to visit despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
Merz confirmed that Netanyahu called him and said that he told the Israeli leader they should meet soon after a new government is formed.
He added: “in case he plans a visit to Germany, I agreed that we will find ways and means for him to be able to visit Germany and leave again without being arrested in Germany.”
Merz said: “I think it’s a really absurd idea that an Israeli prime minister can’t visit the Federal Republic of Germany. He will be able to visit Germany.”
Germany has been both a staunch ally of Israel and a strong backer of the ICC.
Merz says he wants to continue strong relationship with the US Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Merz says he will do everything he can to continue a good transatlantic relationship with the United States — even if this may be more difficult with the new Trump administration.
He says that even though “all the signals we are getting from the USA indicate that interest in Europe is clearly waning … I hope that we can convince the Americans that it is in our mutual interest that we continue to have good transatlantic relations.”
He told reporters that “if those who really do not just make America first, but almost America alone their motto, prevail, then it will be difficult. But I remain hopeful that we will succeed in maintaining the transatlantic relationship.”
He warned that if the good relationship “is destroyed, it will not only be to the detriment of Europe, it will also be to the detriment of America.”
‘Very difficult result’ “It’s very difficult to handle that 20% of Germans voted for the AFD. I find this to be a very difficult result.”
Wilma Schütze, a 35-year-old historian
Scholz calls serving as chancellor ‘a great honor’ German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends the New Year’s reception of the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce at the Flora, in Cologne, Germany, Thursday Jan. 9, 2025. (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa via AP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends the New Year’s reception of the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce at the Flora, in Cologne, Germany, Thursday Jan. 9, 2025. (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa via AP)
Scholz says it has been “a great honor” to serve as Germany’s ninth postwar leader and that it’s important to him to bring his job to an orderly end.
Scholz said on Monday that the election result from the vote the day before was bitter for his party and “it hasn’t become better today.”
“I would like to stress that it is a great honor to be the ninth chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, the fourth Social Democrat who can fill this job in the history of the federal republic,” he said, speaking at his party’s headquarters.
“It is very, very important to me to carry out this work in an orderly way until the last day,” he added.
It’s unclear when that will be. Scholz’s outgoing minority government will remain in office while Friedrich Merz, who until now was Germany’s opposition leader, tries to put together a coalition.
Far-right ‘Alice for Germany’ chants have echoes of Nazi slogan During the election campaign leading up to Sunday’s election, supporters of the far-right anti-immigrant party would chant “Alice for Germany” at party events.
These may have been innocent chants of support for Alice Weidel, a co-party leader who hoped to be the country’s chancellor.
But many of the party’s critics see something else. “Alice für Deutschland” sounds similar to “Alles für Deutschland,” which means “Everything for Germany.”
One of the best-known figures in the party, Björn Höcke, who is the party leader in the eastern state of Thuringia, was fined twice last year for using that slogan at political events.
Judges agreed with prosecutors’ argument that he was aware of its origin as a slogan of the Nazi stormtroopers. Höcke, a former history teacher, said that he’s innocent and argued that it was an “everyday saying.” He is appealing.
What we learned from the German election that will bring change to the EU’s leading power Germany faces its second change of leader in fewer than four years after Merz won Sunday’s election.
After the collapse of Scholz’s three-party government in November, it’s now up to Merz to restore stability to the European Union’s most populous country and traditional political heavyweight, which also has the continent’s biggest economy.
▶ Read more about what we learned
Germany’s young voters lead a hard-left revival While the far-right AfD made the biggest gains, the Left Party made the most unexpected.
The party appeared headed for electoral oblivion at the start of the campaign but pulled off a resounding comeback to take 8.8% of the vote.
The Left Party appealed to young voters with very liberal positions on social and migration issues and a tax-the-rich policy, backed up by a savvy social media campaign.
It benefited from polarization during the campaign after a motion Merz put to parliament calling for many more migrants to be turned back at the border passed.
Merz’s conservatives have long refused to work with the Left Party, so there was no prospect of it putting him in the chancellery.
Where Olaf Scholz went wrong German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a press conference of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, the day after the national election. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a press conference of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, the day after the national election. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Scholz pulled off a narrow come-from-behind victory in 2021 after presenting himself as the safest pair of hands available.
But his government’s agenda was quickly upended by the Ukraine war and the ensuing energy and inflation crises.
His coalition became notorious over time for infighting and poor communication.
Scholz has suggested recently that he maybe should have ended it sooner than he did. Scholz sought another unlikely comeback. But too many voters, and even some in his own party, had cooled on the unpopular chancellor.
Friedrich Merz faces a difficult task that could have been worse Merz has one realistic option to form a government: a coalition with Scholz’s Social Democrats. His Union bloc and its center-left rival have a combined 328 seats in the 630-seat parliament.
The possible partners will have to reconcile contrasting proposals for revitalizing the economy, which has shrunk for the past two years, and for curbing irregular migration.
That will likely require diplomacy and a readiness to compromise that often weren’t evident in recent weeks.
It’s still a much easier task than it might have been. For hours on Sunday night, it looked likely that Merz would need to add the environmentalist Greens to put together a parliamentary majority.
▶ Read more about what we learned from this election
Far-right AfD saw a historic surge in support in Germany’s election. Here’s what to know The far-right AfD was founded in 2013, and initially focused on opposition to bailouts for struggling countries in the eurozone debt crisis — measures that then-Chancellor Angela Merkel described as “without alternative.”
Over the years, AfD became more radical and repeatedly changed leaders. It was Merkel’s decision in 2015 to allow in large numbers of migrants that supercharged it as a political force.
In the 2017 national election, it won 12.6% of the vote to take seats in the German parliament for the first time.
On Sunday, the party surged to the best showing by a far-right party since World War II in the national election and became the strongest political force in some parts of the country.
Germany’s Bundestag has 630 members. Here’s the new parliament’s breakdown by party seats General view inside the empty plenary hall of the German parliament Bundestag at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
General view inside the empty plenary hall of the German parliament Bundestag at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
Merz’s conservatives won 208 seats in the 630-seat Bundestag, while the far-right AfD won 152.
The three parties in the former governing coalition lost seats, with the Social Democrats falling to 120 seats and the Greens to 85.
The pro-business Free Democrats, which triggered early elections by pulling out of the coalition, failed to reach the 5% of the vote required to win seats.
The Left Party got 64 seats. The left-wing Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, founded by a former Left Party lawmaker, came in just under the 5% hurdle and will not take any seats.
Germany cements a shift to the right in Europe The victory of conservatives in Germany’s election continues a shift to the right across Europe.
Spain is now the only large European Union member state to be led by the left, though smaller Denmark also elected a left-wing government last year.
Many voters have turned against the left as a reaction to the large-scale migration to Europe of the past decade, putting faith in conservatives to limit immigration.
Is there an ‘if’ to Merz becoming Germany’s next chancellor? Merz is very likely to become Germany’s next chancellor, but he has more hurdles to clear first.
Voters on Sunday cast their ballots for members of the new parliament. Now it’s up to the 630 lawmakers in the new Bundestag to elect the next chancellor, who will have to secure at least 316 votes.
It’s unclear when that will happen and there’s no formal deadline — that will depend on how long coalition talks take and whether Merz is ultimately successful in putting together an alliance.
Merz says he wants to form a coalition by Easter. Most recent German governments have been in place within two or three months, but the record is much longer. After the 2017 election, it took nearly six months before the Bundestag elected then-Chancellor Angela Merkel for a fourth term.
Analyst says Merz will face pressure to solve some of Europe’s biggest problems Wolfgang Merkel, a political analyst from the WBZ Berlin Social Science Center, says there will be high pressure on Friedrich Merz to help solve some of Europe’s most urgent problems.
It will be a tough job. Merz will be expected to help find a united European response to issues such as security and defense, especially when it comes to Russia’s aggressive stance.
The analyst says that the “interests are so different within the European Union, including the political majorities, that we shouldn’t expect a resounding common EU policy.”
More likely, he thinks, “it will be the usual game of muddling through. They will muddle through, somehow. But we shouldn’t expect to hear one voice out of Brussels.”
PHOTOS: Germany reacts to election results
From political party events to pubs, Germans across the country Sunday reacted to the national election results and Merz’s win.
1 of 12 | Friedrich Merz, front right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
2 of 12 | Friedrich Merz, right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Markus Soeder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), shake hands at the CDU party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
3 of 12 | German Chancellor Olaf Scholz waves after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
4 of 12 | Leader of far right AfD Alice Weidel waves a German flag at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
5 of 12 | People watch first prjections at a pub in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
6 of 12 | From left, Amira Mohamed Ali, co-leader of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), Jan van Aken, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke), Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and member of the Greens, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Markus Soeder, leader of the German Christian Social Union, (CSU), Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) and Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), attend a tv discussion after the national election in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Stefanie Loos/Pool Photo via AP)
7 of 12 | Exterior view of the Reichstag building, home of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
8 of 12 | German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, left, and the top candidate Robert Habeck attend the election party of the Greens (Buendnis 90/Die Gruenen) in Berlin Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.(Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)
9 of 12 | People react after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
10 of 12 | People react after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
11 of 12 | The Willy Brandt sculpture can be seen next to a screen with the election forecasts at the headquarters of the German Social Democratic party (SPD) in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, during the national election. (Hannes P Albert/dpa via AP)
12 of 12 | From left, Ines Schwerdtner, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke), top candidate Heidi Reichinnek and Jan van Aken, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke) react during the party’s election party in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Carsten Koall/dpa via AP)
1 of 12 | Friedrich Merz, front right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
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Friedrich Merz, front right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
2 of 12 | Friedrich Merz, right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Markus Soeder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), shake hands at the CDU party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
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Friedrich Merz, right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Markus Soeder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), shake hands at the CDU party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
3 of 12 | German Chancellor Olaf Scholz waves after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz waves after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
4 of 12 | Leader of far right AfD Alice Weidel waves a German flag at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
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Leader of far right AfD Alice Weidel waves a German flag at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
5 of 12 | People watch first prjections at a pub in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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People watch first prjections at a pub in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
6 of 12 | From left, Amira Mohamed Ali, co-leader of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), Jan van Aken, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke), Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and member of the Greens, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Markus Soeder, leader of the German Christian Social Union, (CSU), Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) and Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), attend a tv discussion after the national election in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Stefanie Loos/Pool Photo via AP)
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From left, Amira Mohamed Ali, co-leader of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), Jan van Aken, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke), Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and member of the Greens, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Markus Soeder, leader of the German Christian Social Union, (CSU), Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) and Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), attend a tv discussion after the national election in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Stefanie Loos/Pool Photo via AP)
7 of 12 | Exterior view of the Reichstag building, home of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
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Exterior view of the Reichstag building, home of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
8 of 12 | German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, left, and the top candidate Robert Habeck attend the election party of the Greens (Buendnis 90/Die Gruenen) in Berlin Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.(Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)
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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, left, and the top candidate Robert Habeck attend the election party of the Greens (Buendnis 90/Die Gruenen) in Berlin Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.(Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)
9 of 12 | People react after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
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People react after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
10 of 12 | People react after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
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People react after first projections are announced during the election party at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
11 of 12 | The Willy Brandt sculpture can be seen next to a screen with the election forecasts at the headquarters of the German Social Democratic party (SPD) in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, during the national election. (Hannes P Albert/dpa via AP)
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The Willy Brandt sculpture can be seen next to a screen with the election forecasts at the headquarters of the German Social Democratic party (SPD) in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, during the national election. (Hannes P Albert/dpa via AP)
12 of 12 | From left, Ines Schwerdtner, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke), top candidate Heidi Reichinnek and Jan van Aken, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke) react during the party’s election party in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Carsten Koall/dpa via AP)
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From left, Ines Schwerdtner, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke), top candidate Heidi Reichinnek and Jan van Aken, co-leader of the Left Party (Die Linke) react during the party’s election party in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Carsten Koall/dpa via AP)
Merz backs Ukraine in his first comments day after election Merz’s first comments on Monday, the day after his party became the highest vote-getter in national elections in Germany were words of support for Ukraine, which is marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Europe stands unwaveringly by Ukraine’s side,” Merz posted on X. “Now more than ever, it holds true: We must put Ukraine in a position of strength.”
“For a just peace, the attacked country must be part of peace negotiations,” Merz added, in an apparent rebuke of the Trump administration, which has begun talks with Russia on ending the war that have so far cut out Ukraine and Europe.
Analyst says Vance and Musk support of AfD did not sway voters Wolfgang Merkel, an analyst from the WBZ Berlin Social Science Center, rejects the notion that efforts by some in the Trump administration to muddle in the German election campaign were successful.
Merkel told The Associated Press that one of the most important reasons for the U.S. administration’s lack of influence is that “JD Vance and (Elon) Musk are not particularly popular. (Donald) Trump is not popular in Germany either.”
He suggests that their efforts may even have been “counterproductive.”
As for the AfD, “they are currently being elected either way — regardless of whether there are any illegitimate election helpers from America.”
What is the CDU? Is it center-right? Friedrich Merz, right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Markus Soeder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), shake hands at the CDU party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
Friedrich Merz, right, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Markus Soeder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), shake hands at the CDU party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
The Christian Democratic Union is a center-right party in Germany.
It’s the leading power in the conservative bloc known as the Union, which also includes the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union and has a single group in the German parliament.
The CDU has provided five of Germany’s nine postwar chancellors so far — most recently Angela Merkel.
But Merz has moved it in a more conservative direction, particularly on migration. The CDU is fiscally conservative, priding itself on keeping down debt, and relatively socially conservative by the standards of German politics.
It also advocates a strong European Union and support for Ukraine.
Germany’s far-right leader says she missed Elon Musk’s congrats call U.S. businessman Elon Musk is shown during a live video link, as Alice Weidel, AfD candidate for chancellor takes to the stage, during the AfD’s election campaign kick-off, in Halle, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (Sebastian Willnow/dpa via AP)
U.S. businessman Elon Musk is shown during a live video link, as Alice Weidel, AfD candidate for chancellor takes to the stage, during the AfD’s election campaign kick-off, in Halle, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (Sebastian Willnow/dpa via AP)
Alice Weidel says she missed a congratulatory call from tech billionaire Elon Musk after the German election late Sunday.
Weidel told reporters in Berlin that “this morning, when I turned my phone on or looked at it, I had received missed calls in the night from the USA, including from Elon Musk, who congratulated me personally.”
Musk, a Trump ally, has waded several times into German politics during the election campaign and openly supported Weidel’s far-right party.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz have sharply criticized Musk’s efforts to influence the election in Germany.
Stocks in major German companies rise after election Stocks in major companies rose in hopes for a stable coalition government that could end policy gridlock and tackle the country’s economic problems.
The DAX share index, which includes Mercedes-Benz Group, engineering firm Siemens AG and business software firm SAP, rose 0.74% to 22,452.04 in morning trading.
A two-party coalition between the conservative CDU/CSU and the center left Social Democrats “will likely be seen as positive by Germany’s corporate sector,” said analysts at Deutsche Bank.
The outgoing three-party coalition was at odds over how to fix the stagnating economy. Gains were tempered by the fact that parties of the far left and far right gained enough seats to block constitutional change.
Despite finishing second, no place for far-right AfD in Germany’s next governing coalition Alice Weidel, co-leader of far right Alternative for Germany (Afd) smiles at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Alice Weidel, co-leader of far right Alternative for Germany (Afd) smiles at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Alternative for Germany has achieved the strongest showing by a far-right party since World World II, but the country’s mainstream parties still refuse to work with it. The principle is known as a “firewall” against extreme right forces after the trauma of the Nazi era.
Merz has ruled out a coalition with the AfD and Olaf Scholz, whose Social Democrats party might be necessary as a junior party in the next government, said on Sunday he hopes that all political parties continue their traditional refusal to work with the far right.
“No cooperation with the extreme right,” Scholz said.
Still, a growing number of Germans feel the other parties have failed to manage the large-scale immigration to Germany of the past decade.
Germany’s far-right leader lauds Trump administration’s cost-cutting through DOGE Leader of the far-right Afd, Alice Weidel, waves after a speech at a national election campaign event in Heidenheim, Germany, Feb. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Leader of the far-right Afd, Alice Weidel, waves after a speech at a national election campaign event in Heidenheim, Germany, Feb. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Weidel on Monday lauded efforts by the Trump administration to cut hundreds of thousands of federal workers’ jobs.
The cost-cutting crusade is led by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Weidel said that “Americans are going in exactly the right direction” and that her party would do the same in Germany if they were in power.
“What we have here is a political apparatus of civil servants that is highly inefficient and that actually manages itself at the taxpayer’s expense,” she said.
Merz will invite Israel’s prime minister to Germany despite an arrest warrant, Netanyahu’s office says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, Israel, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, Israel, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)
The office of Israel’s prime minister says Merz will invite Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Germany despite an arrest warrant from the U.N.’s top war crimes court.
The two spoke by phone on Sunday night as Netanyahu congratulated Merz on his victory, the prime minister’s office said.
Merz’s party confirmed the phone call with Netanyahu but said it doesn’t comment on the contents of such conversations.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief, who was later confirmed killed in Gaza, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza.
WATCH: AP explains the election results Germany has voted — and the exit polls show opposition leader Friedrich Merz and his Conservative Party on course for a lackluster victory in Sunday’s election. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, scored the best result for a far-right party since World War II.
By DAVID KEYTON
The Associated Press’ David Keyton explains the election results from the AP’s bureau in Berlin’s government district.
Merz promises to unify Europe despite challenges from US and Russia Merz says his top priority is to unify Europe in the face of challenges coming from the United States and Russia.
Both U.S. Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump ally Elon Musk have openly supported the far-right AfD.
“I have no illusions at all about what is happening from America,” Merz told supporters. “Take a look at the recent interventions in the German election campaign by Mr. Elon Musk.”
“We are under such massive pressure,” Merz added. “My absolute priority now is really to create unity in Europe.”
WATCH: Candidates for chancellor react to results Germany’s conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz won a lackluster victory in a national election Sunday, while Alternative for Germany doubled its support in the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II, projections showed. Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat for his center-left Social Democrats after what he called “a bitter election result.” (AP video by Fanny Brodersen, production by Kerstin Sopke)
By FANNY BRODERSEN
The four candidates for chancellor thanked their supporters in speeches at party events in Berlin on Sunday night.
Hungary’s Orbán congratulates Germany’s AfD on historic gains Alice Weidel, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s candidate for chancellor, left, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shake hands during a press conference following their meeting in the government headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)
Alice Weidel, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s candidate for chancellor, left, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shake hands during a press conference following their meeting in the government headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has congratulated Germany’s far-right AfD of its historic gains in Sunday’s election.
“The people of Germany voted for change in immense numbers,” Orbán wrote on X. “I want to congratulate @Alice_Weidel on doubling @AfD’s share of the votes. Good luck and God bless Germany!”
Turkish immigrant group in Germany criticizes AfD’s gains Leader of far right AfD Alice Weidel in Berlin, Germany, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Leader of far right AfD Alice Weidel in Berlin, Germany, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
The leader of one of Germany’s biggest immigrant groups has criticized the far-right AfD’s second-place finish in Germany’s election.
Aslıhan Yeşilkaya-Yurtbay of the Turkish Community in Germany group says the AfD doesn’t need to be part of the coalition government or hold a ministry post “to determine the discourse and drive this country against the wall.”
About 25% of Germans have immigrant roots and people of Turkish descent are the biggest group.
Yeşilkaya-Yurtbay added that “people with migrant roots are frightened and are thinking about leaving Germany.”
Estonia’s prime minister says Merz’s victory is ‘crucial’ to Ukraine Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal talk before a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal talk before a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Estonia Prime Minister Kristen Michal says Merz’s victory is key to a stronger and united Europe.
“It is crucial to strengthen our support for Ukraine,” Michal wrote on X.
Also, European Council President Antonio Costa has congratulated Merz, saying he looks “forward to working closely with him to make Europe stronger, more prosperous and more autonomous.”
“These might be challenging times. But I know that, just like in the past, the European Union will deliver and come out stronger,” Costa wrote on X.
Lithuanian president wishes Merz ‘success and prosperity’ Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has wished Friedrich Merz “success and prosperity” in leading Germany as its next chancellor.
“We look forward to further strengthening the strong partnership between Lithuania and Germany, advancing our friendship, security, and economy,” Nausėda wrote on X.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine will continue joint work with Germany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy answers media questions during his press conference, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy answers media questions during his press conference, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the results “a clear voice from the voters” and stressed the importance of the election to Europe.
“We look forward to continuing our joint work with Germany to protect lives, bring real peace closer to Ukraine, and strengthen Europe,” he wrote on X.
“Europe must be able to defend itself, develop its industries, and achieve the necessary results. Europe needs shared successes, and those successes will bring even greater unity to Europe,” he said.
Monday marked the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine.
Macron speaks to both Merz and Scholz after Sunday’s election France’s President Emmanuel Macron, center, adresses to media during the inauguration of the International Agriculture Fair, in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla, Pool)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, center, adresses to media during the inauguration of the International Agriculture Fair, in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla, Pool)
French President Emmanuel Macron says he spoke to both Friedrich Merz and Olaf Scholz following the election results: Merz to congratulate him, and Scholz to express his friendship to him.
“We are more determined than ever to achieve great things together for France and Germany and to work towards a strong and sovereign Europe,” Macron wrote on X.
“In this time of uncertainty, we stand united to face the great challenges of the world and our continent,” he said.
Britain’s Starmer congratulates Merz U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has congratulated Merz, now on course to becoming next chancellor.
“I look forward to working with the new government to deepen our already strong relationship, enhance our joint security and deliver growth for both our countries,” Starmer wrote on the social media platform X.
A political career once sidelined by Angela Merkel Floor leader Friedrich Merz, left, and Angela Merkel, chairwoman of the Christian Democrats Union party (CDU), cheer after Merz’s speech to the delegates of the CDU party convention in Dresden, Germany, Dec. 4, 2001. (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz, File)
Floor leader Friedrich Merz, left, and Angela Merkel, chairwoman of the Christian Democrats Union party (CDU), cheer after Merz’s speech to the delegates of the CDU party convention in Dresden, Germany, Dec. 4, 2001. (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz, File)
The top job has been late in coming for Merz, a lawyer by profession, who saw his ascent derailed by former Chancellor Angela Merkel in the early 2000s and even turned his back on active politics for several years.
Merkel has described Merz as a brilliant speaker and complimented his desire for leadership, though she acknowledged this was a problem in their relationship.
“We are almost the same age … We grew up completely differently, which was more of an opportunity than an obstacle,” she wrote in her memoir “Freedom.”
“But there was one problem, right from the start: We both wanted to be the boss,” she said.
Merz says he’s ready for the job of chancellor Merz says he’s ready for the job of chancellor after winning in Sunday’s election.
“I am aware of the responsibility,” Merz said on Sunday evening. “I am also aware of the scale of the task that now lies ahead of us. I approach it with the utmost respect, and I know that it will not be easy.”
“The world out there isn’t waiting for us, and it isn’t waiting for long-drawn-out coalition talks and negotiations,” he told cheering supporters.
Share of vote, by party Here’s how the vote shifted from 2021 to 2025
