German Election 2025: CDU Triumphs Amid Rising Far-Right and Left Sentiments

Caspian Hollingsworth
Mar 7 2025
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Germany's recent federal election on February 23, 2025, has turned heads, not just for the results themselves but for what they signify in terms of voter sentiment and political movement in the nation. Leading the race, the center-right CDU/CSU alliance, spearheaded by Friedrich Merz, took home 28.5% of the vote. While this position places them at the top, it's worth noting that they still fell short of an outright majority.

Adding to the complexity of the outcome, the far-right AfD made a striking leap to 20.5%, almost a 10% increase from the previous election back in 2021. Such a performance is unprecedented for the AfD on a national level. Meanwhile, the far-left Die Linke reclaimed some ground, achieving a 9% vote share after barely holding onto its place in parliament before.

Voter engagement was particularly notable, reaching a high of 82.5%—the greatest turnout since the country's reunification. This highlights the electorate’s keen interest and suggests a heightened awareness or concern about the present and future of Germany's political path.

In stark contrast, the election spelled trouble for the incumbent coalition. The so-called 'traffic-light' coalition comprising the SPD, Greens, and FDP unraveled amidst internal squabbles. The SPD, in particular, bore the brunt, witnessing its poorest outcome since 1887 at just 16.4%. The Free Democratic Party (FDP), unfortunately, didn't even manage to surpass the 5% threshold to maintain its parliamentary presence.

Another party in the spotlight was the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). Positioned as a populist breakaway group, they came achingly close to making it, ending just shy of representation with 4.97% of the vote.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, adamant about not partnering with the AfD, is left to explore alternative coalitions. This may involve gearing towards a three-party alliance or perhaps rekindling relations with the SPD for a grand coalition. These developments are not just about party numbers but echo deeper concerns like migration, economic stability, and social justice that drove the voters.

Looking ahead, Merz's government is rumored to potentially steer Germany into new directions, especially concerning its policies within the European Union. Often mentioned are possible tougher positions on trade matters with China, revisiting nuclear energy debates, and pushing for extensive agricultural reforms.

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