Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City

Germany's Conservatives win elections, AfD ranks second

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 23 Feb 2025 21:12
2 Min Read

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came in second with 19.5% to 20%, nearly doubling its support compared to the 2021 election.

Listen
  • x
  • Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP)
    Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. (AP)

Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, won Sunday's elections, securing between 28.5% and 29% of the vote, according to initial TV exit polls.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came in second with 19.5% to 20%, nearly doubling its support compared to the 2021 election, based on early figures from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

Far-right surge

The election campaign has been heavily influenced by security concerns and social polarization following a series of violent attacks, including Friday's stabbing at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial.

Related News

AfD open to coalition as Scholz concedes defeat in German election

Germany votes as Conservatives lead, AfD gains ground

These incidents have fueled public anger over immigration and security policies, boosting the AfD's popularity to 20% in the polls, placing it in second place behind the conservatives.

The AfD has received support from Trump's inner circle, including tech billionaire Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance.

At an AfD rally in Berlin, party supporter Julian Adrat expressed optimism about the election, saying, "I'm very confident and, no matter how it turns out, we still have room for improvement."

Collapse of Scholz's coalition

The election is being held six months ahead of schedule following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition with the Greens and pro-business FDP in November. Scholz's Social Democrats are polling at around 15%, trailing behind both the Conservatives and the AfD.

Merz has ruled out a coalition with the AfD but is expected to seek alliances with the Social Democrats or the Greens to form a government. He declared confidently, "The left is over... There is no left majority and no left politics anymore in Germany."

He pledged to tighten immigration, cut welfare benefits, and restore Germany's influence in the European Union, adding that "Europe must become stronger again and Germany must become more involved in the European Union."

Read more: Scholz criticizes opposition for collaboration with AfD

  • German elections
  • Germany
  • Alternative for Germany party (AfD)

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS