Friedrich Merz secures election victory amid rising far-right influence

Germany held a significant federal election on February 23, 2025, where the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sibling, the Christian Social Union (CSU), won the largest share of votes. Preliminary exit polls indicated that CDU/CSU secured approximately 28.5% of the votes while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its best results historically, garnering around 20.5%. In contrast, Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) faced a substantial drop in voter support, obtaining just 16.5%, marking its worst performance in a national election since the post-war era. Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become the new chancellor, emphasized the critical need for a strong mandate to address existing challenges concerning immigration policy and economic revitalization. Amid the rise of the AfD, which has gained support through a platform focusing on strong anti-immigration sentiments, Merz has promised to implement a more restrictive migration policy in order to regain public confidence. His vision reflects a growing concern over the increase of extreme right-wing parties across Europe and the potential risks they pose to democratic governance. The political landscape has shifted considerably since the prior national election, indicating a notable rightward turn among voters. Observers have suggested that this shift is exemplified by the nearly 850,000 voters who defected from the CDU to the AfD. The rise of the AfD, noted for their radical positions, has sparked extensive debate in Germany, raising questions regarding potential coalition governments. Traditionally, Germany has maintained a political commitment to excluding far-right groups from governmental collaboration—this is often referred to as the 'firewall.' However, the growing pressure and the need for coalition-building may confront previously established norms. Merz's path to forming a new government will likely involve complex negotiations, requiring potential alliances with smaller parties. This situation underscores a major transition within German politics, where voters are increasingly attracted to more extreme viewpoints as they seek solutions to critical issues, such as socio-economic challenges and immigration. As the CDU prepares to address these dilemmas, the incoming coalition's approach will shape Germany's political discourse in the coming years, amidst ongoing global challenges and internal pressures.