24.02.2025 11:31
According to the provisional official results announced by the German Election Authority, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parties finished the general election in the lead with 28.6%. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU who is expected to become Germany's new chancellor, signaled a shift away from the United States in his first statement. Meanwhile, analyses in Western media suggested that the election results could shake both Germany and Europe.
The German Election Authority announced the provisional official results of the general elections. Accordingly, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), forming the CDU/CSU, completed the election in the lead by receiving 28.6% of the votes.
The far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party increased its vote share by 10.4 points compared to the previous elections, placing second with 20.8%. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which nominated the current Chancellor Olaf Scholz as its candidate again, saw its vote share drop by 9.4 points compared to the last election. The SPD is in third place with a vote share of 16.4%. The Green Party's vote share decreased to 11.6% compared to the 2021 elections. The Left Party increased its vote by 3.9 points compared to the previous election, reaching a vote share of 8.8%. The Free Democratic Party (FDP), which caused early general elections by leaving the government, remained below the 5% threshold with a vote share of 4.3% in the elections.
SEAT DISTRIBUTION
The seat distribution in the German Federal Parliament is as follows: CDU/CSU 208, AfD 152, SPD 120, Greens 85, Left Party 64.
According to these results, no party can govern alone. In Germany, at least 316 members of parliament are needed to secure a majority in the Federal Parliament. In this case, a coalition government between CDU/CSU and SPD, which together reach a total of 328 members, is the most likely scenario. On the other hand, it was noted that the voter turnout rate reached 84%, the highest level since 1990.
19 CANDIDATES OF TURKISH DESCENT ENTERED THE PARLIAMENT
In the new term, 7 members of parliament of Turkish descent from the Social Democratic Party, 7 from the Left Party, 2 from the Christian Democratic Party (CDU), 2 from the Green Party, and 1 from the Christian Social Union will serve in the Parliament.
MERZ SIGNALS A BREAK FROM THE US IN HIS FIRST STATEMENT
Friedrich Merz, who is preparing to become Germany's new chancellor, promised to bring "real independence" to Europe from the US.
In a statement after the victory, Merz said, "My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe. This way, we can achieve our independence from the US."
Stating that "there is no question of a coalition with AfD," the future chancellor said, "We have very fundamental differences. They want the exact opposite of what we want. That is why there will be no cooperation."
Mainstream parties in Germany refuse to partner with the far-right AfD, which has the support of prominent figures in the US, including technology billionaire and former President Donald Trump's ally Elon Musk.
"AS UGLY AS MOSCOW'S INTERVENTION"
Merz also criticized the Trump administration, stating, "We should not harbor any illusions about what comes from America. Elon Musk's interference in the election campaign is as dramatic and ugly as Moscow's intervention."
Holding a roundtable meeting with other leaders, Merz said, "We are under such great pressure from both sides that my absolute priority right now is to achieve unity in Europe. It is possible to create unity in Europe."
Merz's remarks towards the US came despite Trump's welcoming of the election results.
SUPPORT FROM THE FAR RIGHT IN THE IMMIGRATION PROPOSAL INCREASED TENSIONS
Merz had brought up the issue of immigration following a knife attack in Germany, where an Afghan asylum seeker killed a man and a 2-year-old child.
He submitted two proposals to Parliament calling for increased security measures and the closure of German land borders to irregular migration.
The proposal, which anticipates more deportations of asylum seekers at Germany's borders, was accepted after opposition parties, including the neo-Nazi AfD, announced their support.
Far-right lawmakers welcomed the outcome with applause. The support of Merz's proposals by far-right members increased political tension in Germany.
The second proposal, which included comprehensive reform proposals for a restrictive immigration policy and additional powers for security authorities from the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), was rejected by a majority vote.