The Christian Democratic Union’s victory paves the way for its leader, Friedrich Merz to take over from Olaf Scholz as German chancellor. Merz has voiced his intention to make Germany and EU strategically strong, distancing them from both the US and Russia. A report by Amit Prakash Singh
After the poll results, Germany now finds itself at an equidistant point between the USA and Russia. This shift appears driven by widespread fear among voters, particularly concerning the looming threat of the Russian bear. There is also a growing sense that the superpowers may abandon Ukraine, leaving it vulnerable. Additionally, the rise of “Musk Mania” among the youth, who seem less focused on the Nazi atrocities in Germany, coincides with the 80th anniversary of those events.
Some of these concerns were voiced by the U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at a meeting in Munich on February 15, 2025, during the Munich Security Conference, where top European Union officials, strategic experts, and German political leaders gathered. He warned that free speech and fundamental values were retreating, particularly in Britain and across Europe. He criticised the conference organisers for barring lawmakers from far-left and far-right parties from participating. He declared, “There’s a new sheriff in town,” adding that Elon Musk’s views should not be considered election interference. He further remarked, “If American democracy can survive being scolded by Greta Thunberg, Europe can survive Elon Musk.” He also criticised European leaders for permitting mass migration, which he argued was a conscious decision made by politicians.
Vance’s combative speech at the Munich Conference sparked heated reactions. He continued by criticising European leaders and mainstream German parties for their “firewall” against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Later, he met with AFD leaders as political partners. Earlier, Elon Musk had appeared via video on AfD’s stage platforms, canvassing support. The youth cheered enthusiastically, visibly energized by his presence.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded strongly to the attacks on Europe’s stance on hate speech and far-right ideologies. He stated that it was inappropriate for others to dictate to Germany and Europe, emphasising that such interference was unacceptable among allies. “We firmly reject that,” he said. Scholz outlined the reasons for not engaging with the AfD: its anti-immigration policies and its Nazi past, which continues to carry the stigma of ultranationalism. “Never again fascism, never again racism, never again aggressive war,” he reiterated, noting that the majority of Germans oppose anyone who glorifies or justifies criminal National Socialism—the ideology of Adolf Hitler’s 1933–45 regime.
The election for 630 seats in the new Bundestag (parliament) took place on February 23, 2025. Originally scheduled for September 28, 2025, the election was brought forward after the collapse of Scholz’s three-way coalition government. The results confirmed the strong lead predicted for the CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union), a centre-right alliance advocating liberal conservative policies. The CSU, active in Bavaria, is led by Friedrich Merz, the successor to Angela Merkel. The coalition secured 208 seats, affirming its dominance as expected by pollsters.
The AfD is Germany’s second-largest party, a relatively young force established in 2013. Its charismatic leader, Alice Weidel, at 46, holds a prominent position in the inner circle of reliable global leaders, including former US President Donald Trump. In this election, the AfD secured 152 seats. Weidel has stated that the party could surpass the CDU in the next election, positioning itself as the strongest party. CDU leader Merz expressed concern about the AfD’s growing success.
The third-largest party, the SPD (Social Democratic Party), is one of Germany’s oldest, founded in 1863. It advocates for social justice, workers’ rights, and a welfare state. The current leader, Olaf Scholz, 66, applied centre-left policies until the election. Under his leadership, the party managed only 120 seats. Alliance 90/The Greens had a comparatively weaker showing, securing just 85 seats. Its leader, Robert Habeck, 55, remains active on environmental issues. He previously served as the economy and climate minister in the last Scholz-led government. The far-left Die Linke party received 64 seats, having been formed in 2007 by the merger of the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) and the Electoral Alternative for Labour and Social Justice.
Scholz’s previous coalition government, formed with the SPD, Greens, and FDP (Free Democratic Party), collapsed, with the FDP failing to secure any seats this time. Now, Scholz must lead a caretaker government until a new coalition is formed, which could take several days or weeks.
Merz, the new leader, lacks experience in dealing with bureaucracy and government operations but is skilled at mobilising the masses and providing leadership. He is currently evaluating potential alliances and working on a common minimum programme to stabilise his government. Domestic issues such as immigration, inflation, energy, the environment, and security are pressing concerns. On the international stage, Merz faces the challenge of ensuring Ukraine’s survival amidst the pressures from superpowers while also building a strong army to protect European nations. In talks with journalists, Merz confirmed his intention to make Germany and the European Union strategically strong, distancing them from both the US and Russia. He expressed a desire for a peaceful and prosperous Europe in the years ahead.
