The leader of the German conservative opposition, Friedrich Merz, won the national election in the country on Sunday (23), while support for the Alternative For Germany came in second and achieved the best performance for a far-right party since World War II, projections of the election showed.
The Chancellor Olaf Scholz admitted defeat after what he called “a bitter electoral result.” Projections showed his party finishing in third place with its worst result since the post-war period in a national parliamentary election.
A Discontented Nation
The German election took place seven months earlier than planned, after the unpopular coalition of the current chancellor collapsed in November. It was three years of a term marked by internal struggles, widespread discontent, and little enthusiasm for any of the candidates.
The campaign was dominated by concerns about years of stagnation in Europe’s largest economy and pressure to curb immigration.
Germany is the most populous country in the European Union and a leading NATO member. It has been the second-largest supplier of arms to Ukraine, after the U.S. The country will be central in shaping the continent’s response to the challenges of the coming years, including the confrontational foreign and trade policy of the Trump administration.
Merz said he hopes to form a coalition government by Easter. But this will likely be a challenge.
The conservative leader also stated that “the most important thing is to restore a viable government in Germany as soon as possible.”
“I am aware of the responsibility,” Merz said. “I am also aware of the scale of the task that now lies ahead of us. I approach this with the utmost respect and know that it will not be easy.”
Trump Celebrates Conservative Party Victory
President Donald Trump celebrated after the leader of the German conservative opposition claimed victory.
“IT SEEMS THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IN GERMANY HAS WON THE GREAT AND HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ELECTION,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “LIKE THE U.S., THE PEOPLE OF GERMANY HAVE TIRED OF THE NONSENSICAL AGENDA, ESPECIALLY ON ENERGY AND IMMIGRATION, THAT HAS PREVAILED FOR SO MANY YEARS,” he said.
“THIS IS A GREAT DAY FOR GERMANY AND FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF A GENTLEMAN NAMED DONALD J. TRUMP,” he added. “CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL — MANY MORE VICTORIES TO FOLLOW!!!”
Source: AP