Germany’s 2025 Federal Election: A Shift in Power

Germany’s political landscape has undergone a major transformation following the 2025 federal election, held on Sunday, February 23. The results indicate significant changes in voter preferences and set the stage for crucial coalition negotiations that will determine the country’s next government.

CDU-CSU Secures Victory, AfD Surges

The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), emerged as the winners with 28.5% of the vote. Their lead candidate, Friedrich Merz, is now set to become Germany’s next chancellor, taking over from Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Speaking to his supporters, Merz acknowledged both the victory and the challenges ahead, emphasizing the need to form a stable government.

One of the most striking developments in this election was the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which secured second place with 20% of the vote. This performance marks the best result in the party’s history and underscores a growing shift toward right-wing politics in Germany and across Europe. Just four years ago, AfD ranked fourth in the 2021 federal election, making this a noteworthy political breakthrough.

Meanwhile, the SPD suffered a significant setback, securing only 16.5% of the vote. Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the outcome as a bitter defeat and took responsibility for his party’s disappointing performance. This loss is particularly striking given that the SPD had won the previous election in 2021, signaling a major reversal in voter support.

Coalition Talks Set to Begin

Despite CDU-CSU’s victory, they did not secure enough seats for an outright majority, making coalition negotiations essential. Germany’s electoral system employs a proportional representation mechanism, meaning smaller parties will play a critical role as potential coalition partners. Among the smaller parties, those with around 5% of the vote now have the power to shape the next government’s direction. Markus Söder, the leader of CSU and a key CDU-CSU figure, is expected to be a major influence in these negotiations.

The formation of a coalition government is set to be a complex process, as party leaders work to bridge political differences and align on key policy priorities. The direction of the next administration will depend on these discussions and the compromises reached between potential partners.

Key Issues That Shaped the Election

This election reflected broader societal and economic concerns among German voters. Economic struggles, including a recession in 2023 and 2024, a worsening housing crisis, and instability in industries such as automotive manufacturing, were pivotal issues in the campaign. Additionally, challenges related to migration policies played a major role in shaping voter sentiment.

On the international stage, the return of Donald Trump as U.S. President raises new diplomatic challenges for Germany. His administration’s trade policies and approach to the Ukraine war will likely impact Germany’s economic and foreign policy strategies in the coming years.

Germany’s Political Landscape is Changing

This election was unique in that it was an early federal election—an unusual event in German politics. It was triggered by the collapse of the SPD-Green-FDP coalition in late 2024 due to budget disagreements. Germany has only held early elections three times in its history, making this political event particularly significant.

As Friedrich Merz prepares to take office, he faces major challenges, including complex coalition negotiations, addressing economic concerns, and responding to shifting voter priorities. Meanwhile, the rise of AfD has sparked discussions about the increasing influence of right-wing politics in Germany.

Looking ahead, the policies and alliances formed in the coming months will determine the country’s economic trajectory and foreign relations. With a fragmented Bundestag and competing political agendas, Germany is entering a period of negotiation and potential change.

The results of this election send a clear message about voter priorities and discontent with the status quo. Moving forward, political leaders must navigate these shifts while working toward a stable and effective government.