What awaits Germany after the elections? Coalition scenarios revealed: Alliance call from the far-right

Compiled by: Suat TEKİN - 12punto.com.tr

According to exit polls, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), took first place with 28.6 percent of the vote. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party came in second with 20.5 percent. Voter turnout reached 84 percent, the highest level in recent years.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz declared his party's victory, noting that they are "ready to take responsibility for Germany's future." Emphasizing that Europe should pursue a policy independent of the US, Merz highlighted the importance of "strengthening Europe to ensure its true independence."

AfD's chancellor candidate Alice Weidel described her party's result as a 'historic success' and explained their desire to join a government coalition with the following words:

'We are extending our hand to realize the will of the people. We want to make policy for our country.'

The Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, remained in third place with 16.4 percent of the vote. This result was recorded as the lowest vote share for the SPD since the Second World War.

Another notable development in the elections was that the far-right AfD nearly doubled its votes compared to the previous election. The rise of the AfD has sparked debates regarding Germany's political future.

In a report by Der Spiegel, it was stated that Merz would have a tougher stance on immigrants compared to previous governments. Some MPs in the CDU/CSU opposed the anti-immigration law that Merz passed with the support of the CDU. According to German media, this division within the CDU could lead to departures from the party if Merz increases his anti-immigration stance.

According to the German newspaper Bild, the election results could lead to significant changes in Germany's domestic and foreign policy. A new era is expected in Germany, particularly regarding the future of the European Union and relations with NATO.

Friedrich Merz, in his statement following the election victory, expressed the following:

''We will work to move Germany forward. We have great tasks ahead of us, and we will undertake them with determination.''

Following the election results in Germany, how immigration policies will be shaped has also become a matter of curiosity. Merz, who is expected to become chancellor, was known for his ideas on prioritizing German culture and reducing immigration. In recent weeks, Merz ensured the approval of an anti-immigration law in parliament with the support of the AfD. The law, which passed with the partnership of the CDU and AfD, was protested with demonstrations held across Germany.

CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz

ELECTION RESULTS ARE IN

Early general elections in Germany have concluded. According to exit polls, the main opposition CDU/CSU finished the election in the lead. The far-right AfD increased its vote share and placed second. Voter turnout reached a record level of 84 percent.

Germany held early general elections to determine its new members of parliament. According to exit polls and partial counts, the bloc formed by the main opposition CDU and its sister party in Bavaria, the CSU, finished the election in the lead with 28.6 percent of the vote.

With the election results becoming clear, CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz declared his party's victory.

According to exit polls, the AfD increased its vote share to 20.5 percent, rising to the position of the second party. This result showed that the party nearly doubled its votes compared to the 2021 elections. The SPD experienced a major drop in its vote share, falling to third place with 16.4 percent. This percentage received by the Social Democratic Party was recorded as one of the lowest results in party history.

Voter turnout reached 84 percent, the highest level since 1990. The Federal Returning Officer announced that official results would be announced shortly.

COALITION SCENARIOS ARE BEING DEBATED

According to the election results, no party reached the majority to form a government alone. While the possibility of a coalition government between the CDU/CSU and the SPD stands out, the Greens and other small parties will also be decisive in potential government scenarios. Underlining that a functional government must be established in Germany as soon as possible, Merz emphasized that coalition negotiations should begin rapidly.

The Green Party experienced a loss of votes compared to the 2021 elections and fell to the 11.6 percent level. The Left Party (Die Linke) increased its votes to 8.8 percent. The newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) received 4.9 percent of the vote and narrowly failed to pass the threshold.

The Free Democratic Party (FDP), which caused the early election by leaving the government, received 4.3 percent of the vote and remained below the 5 percent threshold. The possibility of the FDP not entering parliament made coalition options even more complex.

According to the seat distribution in the Bundestag, the CDU/CSU won 208 seats, the AfD 152, the SPD 120, the Greens 85, and the Left Party 62. The South Schleswig Voters' Association (SSW), which is exempt from the election threshold, also took its place in parliament with 1 seat.

While the current distribution strengthens the possibility of a 'grand coalition' between the CDU/CSU and the SPD, coalition combinations could change if the FDP or BSW enter parliament. A triple coalition between the CDU/CSU, SPD, and the Greens, or a CDU/CSU-SPD-FDP alliance, are among the possibilities.

HISTORIC SUCCESS STATEMENT FROM AfD

The far-right AfD announced that its party achieved success after reaching the highest vote share in its history. Party leader Tino Chrupalla noted that they had achieved a 'historic success' and 'a result that will change the political balances in Germany.'

AfD's chancellor candidate Alice Weidel sent the following message to CDU leader Friedrich Merz:

'We are open to coalition negotiations, but other parties must also accept this reality.'

On the other hand, Merz, who stated both before and after the election that they would not cooperate with the AfD, expressed the following:

'We have major disagreements with the AfD on fundamental issues. They advocate the exact opposite of our policy. Therefore, any cooperation is out of the question.'

AfD's chancellor candidate Alice Weidel

SCHOLZ ADMITTED DEFEAT

SPD leader and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose party lost a significant number of votes in the election, expressed his sadness over the results. Scholz, who will continue his duty as the leader of his party, said that people gave them a message regarding their 'mistakes and shortcomings.'

Noting that he would not take part in the coalition negotiations to be held with the CDU, Scholz said, 'This is a bitter defeat. However, as a requirement of democracy, we have received the message of the people.'

SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch stated that the election results were not a surprise, and added:

'This election was not lost in the last eight weeks. It is a reflection of problems that have been ongoing for a longer time.'

Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

OPPOSITION LEADER TO LEAVE ACTIVE POLITICS

Christian Lindner, Chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which lost a significant number of votes in the election, announced that he is leaving active politics. The FDP failed to enter parliament as it could not pass the 5 percent threshold.

In a post on his social media account, Lindner included the following statements:

'This election may be a defeat for the FDP, but it means a new beginning for Germany. After about 25 years of intense and challenging work, I am withdrawing from active politics.'

US STATEMENT FROM MERZ

Speaking after his election victory, Friedrich Merz gave important messages regarding the future of Germany and Europe. Making statements regarding relations with the US, Merz emphasized that they would take action to 'break away' from the US.

At the same time, touching upon the immigration policy that caused debates during the election campaign, Merz added the following:

''Our priority will be the strengthening of Europe. By reducing dependence on the US, we want to build a more independent Europe. Our immigration policy needs to be regulated in line with Germany's economic and security interests.''

How Germany will be governed in the future will depend on the outcome of the coalition negotiations. Negotiations between the parties will take shape in the coming days.