Germany Faces Political Shift as CDU Leads Polls Ahead of February Election

The upcoming election could see the far-right AfD secure second place, while coalition-building challenges loom for a likely CDU-led government.

Germany's federal election on February 23 follows the collapse of the ruling coalition, triggered by ideological disputes and a no-confidence vote in late 2024.
Polling indicates the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, is on track to win, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to double its vote share and secure second place.
The CDU's recent collaboration with the AfD on a controversial migration bill has drawn criticism and raised concerns about the erosion of the political firewall against the far right.
Key voter concerns include immigration, crime, economic instability, and climate policy, with parties sharply divided over issues like renewable energy, net-zero targets, and heating regulations.
Coalition-building after the election is expected to be complex, as the CDU may struggle to form a majority government without aligning with ideologically disparate parties.