The Christian Democratic Union of Germany/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) emerged victorious in the national elections on Sunday, following a heavy fall for Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD). The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) took a historic second place with 20 percent of the vote. The results, which took place against the backdrop of a stagnant economy and concerns about European security, will reverberate far beyond Germany's borders.
The biggest winners were parties on the political fringes - the AfD on the far right and the Left Party on the far left. Deep frustration with failed migration policies, a stalemate in the former government coalition and a general sense of economic uncertainty and decline led to the expected strong showing for the AfD. More surprising was the surge for the Left Party, which cleared the 5 percent threshold to just under 9 percent. Beneath their thinly veiled peace platforms, both parties oppose NATO membership, have strong pro-Russian leanings, and question support for Ukraine. Both parties’ successes in this election are a call to action for those in the democratic mainstream to finally start focusing on the fundamental economic, social, and foreign policy problems facing Europe’s largest economy. The CDU may be celebrating today, but pressure will quickly mount on Merz to deliver on his party’s new mandate. Voters could soon be faced with the same discontent with the CDU that led to the party’s resignation after Merkel’s 16 years in power. If the CDU fails to address voters’ growing concerns about the economy, the cost of living, and migration — and especially if the coalition wrangling in Berlin drags on — the AfD could emerge as a winner for voters in the next Bundestag election, due no later than 2029.
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