Germany has witnessed remarkable shifts following the results of the 2025 federal elections, which were held amid much anticipation due to the collapse of the previous Ampel coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). With postal voting and election day polling complete, the results reflected both political stability and the emergence of new dynamics.
According to preliminary results, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), emerged as the clear victors, securing 28.5% of the votes, representing a significant increase of 4.4% from the last election. This political comeback is especially noteworthy as CDU leader Friedrich Merz has already begun indicating intentions to form the next government.
Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its historical high, garnering 20.6% of the votes, marking a staggering increase of 10.2% since the last election. This surge not only elevates their status as the second strongest party but also raises important questions about the influence of their policies on German politics moving forward.
On the other hand, the SPD faced significant setbacks, landing at 16.5% of the votes—an alarming decline of 9.2%. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz was able to narrowly defend his seat in Potsdam, obtaining 21.8% of the votes against CDU candidate Tabea Gutschmidt, who received 20.6%. Despite this win, Scholz acknowledged the election as one of his party’s most challenging moments.
The Green Party struggled as well, securing only 11.8% of the vote—a decrease of 2.9% from their last standing. Both Green leaders, Franziska Brantner and Ricarda Lang, faced losses in their individual districts; nonetheless, they remain members of parliament via their party lists.
The FDP's situation is dire, as they fell short of the necessary threshold to maintain seats, landing at just 4.4%. FDP leader Christian Lindner has indicated he would resign should the party fail to enter the Bundestag, stating, "Then my claim to leadership for the FDP will be gone." Wolfgang Kubicki, another senior party member, echoed these sentiments, explaining how lack of parliamentary representation would challenge the party’s structure.
The Left party, which appeared to be on the back foot historically, performed relatively well with 8.7%—a rise of 3.8%. The party celebrated this turnaround, viewing their results as indicative of broader working-class support.
The election was not devoid of controversies and challenges. Reports highlighted various local incidents, including incorrect ballots being distributed and logistical setbacks at some polling places. Despite these issues, voter turnout was commendable, with estimates reaching 83.1%, the highest engagement since reunification.
International reactions poured in swiftly. Former U.S. President Donald Trump heralded the election outcome on his platform, calling it “a great day for Germany,” and reflected on the sentiments of voters weary of policies he deemed straying from common sense. This perspective resonates with the increasing strength of the AfD.
Back on the domestic front, responses from major political figures varied dramatically. Merz expressed optimism, stating, "The world cannot wait for Germany to figure out our government. We need to establish a functional ruling coalition swiftly." With several coalition possibilities on the table, discussions will undoubtedly center around future partnerships.
Political analysts suggest potential configurations such as coalitions involving the Union with either the SPD or the Greens, but with the latter now showing reluctance post-election. Meanwhile, Gysi from The Left hinted at leveraging their gains to influence future discussions actively, which could complicate the coalition dynamic.
Overall, these election results set the stage for significant political changes as party dynamics shift within Germany. Observers will be interested to see how the new balance of power influences legislation and governance style as leaders navigate the complex road of coalitional politics.