The 2025 German federal election has concluded with surprising results, indicating significant political shifts across the nation. The Union (CDU/CSU) garnered approximately 28.5% of the votes, falling short of their target of 30%, yet still managed to secure the lead. Meanwhile, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) nearly doubled its vote share, rising to 20.5%, compared to 10.4% in 2021. On the other hand, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) saw its support plummet to around 16.4%, its lowest result ever recorded.
According to reports from the ARD and ZDF, this election demonstrated record voter turnout, with participation rates soaring to between 83% and 84%, the highest since reunification. More than 59 million citizens were eligible to vote, showcasing the increasing public interest and engagement with the electoral process.
Friedrich Merz, the CDU's chancellor candidate, expressed his satisfaction with the results, labelling it a "historical result" for the party. He stated, "Wir haben diese Bundestagswahl 2025 gewonnen," amid cheers from party supporters. Merz emphasized the urgent need to form a stable government, noting, "Die Welt wartet nicht auf uns." Following the election, he plans on engaging with potential coalition partners to secure governance.
Conversely, the current Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, referred to the SPD's electoral defeat as "a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party, which is also clear defeat." Scholz acknowledged his responsibility for the outcome, congratulating Merz on his party's success with, "Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Wahlergebnis." His comments reflected on the SPD’s historic low performance and the challenges the party must face going forward.
Election analysts pointed out the precarious position of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which barely managed to secure around 4.6% of the votes. Currently, they find themselves below the 5% threshold for parliamentary representation, raising concerns about their future role within the German political system.
The AfD's Alice Weidel hailed her party's results as "a historic success," indicating they are open to coalition negotiations with the Union, asserting, "Wir sind offen für Koalitionsverhandlungen mit der CDU." This marks a significant development in German politics, as the AfD's growing influence poses new opportunities for potential right-wing coalitions.
Throughout the election day, there were several notable incidents reported at polling stations: From ballot mix-ups—where incorrect ballots were issued—to threats being made against election officials and voters, these issues raised concerns about the voting process's integrity. Notably, one incident involved the distribution of ballots with candidates from Berlin being mistakenly provided to voters in Trier, prompting emergency measures to be enacted.
Despite concerns concerning the integrity of the election, the overall turnout reflects civic engagement, especially compared to previous years when participation was significantly lower. The increase was especially notable in regions like Niedersachsen, where participation reached approximately 42.9% by noon, compared to 36.6% during the last election.
The aftermath of the election raises questions about the future political dynamics within Germany. With the SPD's diminished role, there may be opportunities for realignment among the political parties, possibly excluding the Greens from any coalition processes. CSU leader Markus Söder indicated during his address to supporters, “Es scheint auch eindeutig so zu sein, dass es entweder mit einem Partner oder möglicherweise mit zwei reicht,” implying flexibility without needing the Greens as partners.
The possibilities for coalition formations remain fluid, with the FDP needing to claw its way back above the required threshold, and projections of varying dynamics with the AfD increasingly involved. The spectre of government instability, over coalition negotiations, looms large, indicating potentially tumultuous times for German politics.
The 2025 election results serve as a pivotal point for the nation and could reshape the German political framework for years to come. The tension building over coalition discussions will be closely monitored as parties seek to navigate this new political terrain. With leaders like Merz and Weidel vying for influence, the directives set forth will be influential both within Germany and abroad as observers view how these shifts alter traditional alliances and responsibilities.