The Germans have decided. The CDU/CSU won the Feb. 23 snap election and its leader, Friedrich Merz, will likely become chancellor. But, the conservative union is not the only one celebrating this victory; they share it with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Second in line, the AfD has completely taken over all of Eastern Germany. Olaf Scholz, the country’s current chancellor, and his Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) have suffered a great defeat. Germany now urgently needs a new government. Merz wants Germany to once more hold the title of leader of European Union politics.

• In the election, the CDU/CSU party finished first, the AfD second, and the SPD third. This is the first time since 1949 that the CDU (with CSU) and the SPD have not been in the top two places.
• Presumed Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to form a so-called ‘Grand Coalition’ without AfD participation. He wants the program to focus on migration, security, the economy, and the social system.
• Merz wishes to be active in foreign policy. The European Union expects Germany to act alongside France to lead efforts in Ukraine and negotiations with the United States. With 28.6% of the vote, the CDU/CSU won the parliamentary vote and their leader Friedrich.

Policy brief –Irena Krcháková

The analysis is in PDF under the link below.