CDU/CSU, SPD begin coalition talks after German election shake-up
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The SPD, led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered its worst performance to date, obtaining only 16.4% of the vote.
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Friedrich Merz, left, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, CDU, arrives for a faction meeting of the Christian Union party's lawmaker at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc is set to begin preliminary coalition discussions with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) following a decisive victory in Germany's snap parliamentary elections.
According to reports from Bild, talks could start as early as Friday as the parties navigate the formation of a new governing coalition.
The CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, emerged as the largest party with 28.6% of the vote, securing a clear lead over other contenders.
Meanwhile, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a historic high of 20.8%, reflecting a surge in support for the far-right party, particularly in eastern regions of Germany.
The SPD, led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered its worst performance to date, obtaining only 16.4% of the vote.
The election results have significantly reshaped Germany's political landscape, prompting the CDU/CSU and SPD to consider a coalition to ensure governmental stability.
Coalition discussions are expected to be complex, given the ideological differences between the center-right CDU/CSU and the center-left SPD.
Read more: AfD open to coalition as Scholz concedes defeat in German election
Other parties also saw varied results. The Greens secured 11.6%, maintaining a steady presence in the Bundestag, while the Left Party received 8.8%.
Notably, the South Schleswig Voters' Association, representing the Danish-German minority, won one seat.
However, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – Reason and Justice (BSW) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) failed to reach the 5% threshold required for Bundestag representation.
The AfD's record performance has raised concerns about the growing influence of far-right ideologies in German politics.
