Sun Feb 23 13:40:00 UTC 2025: ## German Election 2025: Merz Leads, Far-Right Gains Ground Amidst Economic Uncertainty
**Berlin, Germany** – Germany held national elections Sunday amid a backdrop of economic stagnation, rising concerns over migration, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The election saw a tight contest between incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU/CSU), and, for the first time, a far-right candidate, Alice Weidel (AfD).
Early indications suggest a significant shift in the German political landscape. Opinion polls leading up to the election placed Merz’s Union Bloc in the lead, with projected support between 28-32%, potentially making him the next Chancellor. However, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), campaigning on stricter immigration policies, secured a strong second place with approximately 20% of the vote, significantly exceeding their previous best result. Scholz’s Social Democrats suffered a potential postwar low, polling between 14-16%.
The state of the German economy and recent migrant-related attacks dominated the campaign. Merz promised tighter border controls and increased deportations, while all major parties pledged continued support for Ukraine. Despite the election coinciding with carnival season, voting proceeded without major incident, with voters permitted to cast ballots in costume provided it didn’t disrupt polling stations.
The election uses a two-vote system: one for a local candidate and one for a party list, determining seat allocation in the Bundestag. The 5% threshold for party representation remained in place, and the new cap of 630 seats meant some district winners might lose their seats depending on their party’s overall performance. Coalition negotiations are expected to be complex, as mainstream parties have vowed not to cooperate with the AfD. Elon Musk’s controversial endorsement of the AfD also added to the pre-election tension.
Vote counting began immediately after polling stations closed at 6 pm, with exit polls providing early indications. Official results are expected Monday morning. The outgoing government will remain in a caretaker role until the Bundestag elects a new chancellor. The process of government formation, with no formal time limit, could take several weeks. While Merz hopes to form a government by mid-April, the complex coalition negotiations could delay the process. Tensions were further heightened by a stabbing near the Holocaust Memorial and clashes between far-right and anti-far-right demonstrators in Berlin on the eve of the election.
First Piper 