Germany Faces Political Shift as CDU Wins Election and Far-Right AfD Surges
Friedrich Merz's CDU secures victory while the AfD achieves its strongest result since 1945, raising concerns over Germany's political and social future.
- The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, won the German federal election with 28.5% of the vote, marking a return to conservative leadership.
- The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubled its vote share to 20.8%, becoming the second-largest party and achieving its best result in postwar history.
- Merz has committed to maintaining the political 'firewall' against the AfD, ruling out any coalition with the far-right party despite its growing influence.
- The election highlighted stark regional and generational divides, with the AfD dominating in eastern Germany and gaining significant traction among younger voters aged 18-34.
- Germany's political establishment, including the outgoing SPD-Green coalition, faces challenges in addressing economic concerns, migration policies, and the rise of populism.
Deutsche Welle 
POLITICO 
The Guardian 
The Telegraph 
GZERO Media 
The Japan Times 
The Daily Signal 
The Hill 
Forbes 
Hindustan Times 
NDTV 
USA TODAY 
The Globe and Mail 
Jacobin 
The Economist 
