CDU Wins German Election as AfD Rises to Second Place
Friedrich Merz faces challenges forming a government as SPD suffers historic losses and FDP exits Bundestag.
- The CDU/CSU secured 28.6% of votes, making it the largest party, while the AfD achieved a record 20.8%, becoming the second-largest force in the Bundestag.
- The SPD recorded its worst-ever result with 16.4%, and the Greens followed with 11.6%; both parties saw significant declines compared to previous elections.
- The FDP and Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) failed to cross the 5% threshold, leaving them out of the Bundestag.
- A coalition between CDU/CSU and SPD is the most likely outcome, with Friedrich Merz aiming to finalize a government by Easter.
- The election saw a historic voter turnout of 82.5%, the highest since German reunification.
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