Germany's Conservative Alliance Wins High-Stakes Election, Far-Right AfD Comes Second: Reports

Last Updated:February 24, 2025, 06:56 IST

Friedrich Merz is likely to replace Olaf Scholz as the next German Chancellor. Merz has promised to crack down on illegal immigrants after public fears following a spate of deadly attacks.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz speaks with supporters after exit poll results of the German elections. (Reuters)

The conservative wave swept Germany as the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU)-Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) alliance led by Friedrich Merz has won Sunday’s high-stakes election with between 28.5 and 29% of votes, as per exit polls.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), backed by Elon Musk and US Vice President JD Vance, came second with 19.5 to 20%, nearly doubling its result in the last election held in 2021, based on initial figures from German public broadcasters.

AfD leader Alice Weidel, one of the key contenders for Chancellor, hailed the “historic" result, saying the anti-immigration party was now “firmly anchored" in the political landscape and had “never been so strong on a national level". However, her party is set to stay out of power as its coalition partners refuse cooperation with the far right.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) recorded what was likely to be their worst result in the history of Germany’s post-war democracy, managing between 16 and 16.5% of votes. The Greens, another possible partner for the CDU/CSU, had 12 to 13.5% of votes.

The far-left Die Linke also won 8.5-9% of votes and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) won 4.4%.

Berlin, Germany

News world Germany's Conservative Alliance Wins High-Stakes Election, Far-Right AfD Comes Second: Reports