Far-Right Surge and Christian Democrats’ Victory: The Aftermath of Germany's 2025 Federal Election

 

Far-Right Surge and Christian Democrats’ Victory: The Aftermath of Germany's 2025 Federal Election

In the aftermath of the 2025 German federal election, Germany's political landscape has shifted dramatically, marked by a stunning surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the nation’s largest conservative party Christian Democratic Union (CDU) securing a victory, and the rise of polarizing ideologies that seem to be increasingly splitting the electorate. With Friedrich Merz leading the CDU, his party won the largest share of the vote, putting him in line to become the next Chancellor of Germany. Yet, the AfD's impressive results and its doubling of voter support have left a mark on the election's outcome. This article explores the key developments, the responses both within and outside of Germany, and the questions that remain as Germany enters a new era of political uncertainty.

The Election Results: A Divided Germany

In a race that saw a record 83.5% voter turnout, Germany’s CDU/CSU coalition secured the highest percentage of votes at 28.6%, a performance that placed them on track to form a new government after the Social Democratic Party (SPD) lost substantial ground. The SPD, led by Olaf Scholz, came in third, with just 16.4%, marking a nearly 10-point drop from the 2021 election results. Scholz, acknowledging his party's defeat, expressed regret over the outcome, admitting that the results were "bitter" and that he bore responsibility for the loss.

The CDU’s victory, however, did not come without major concerns. The AfD, a far-right party that has gained increasing popularity in recent years, surged to second place, securing 20.8% of the vote. This was an unprecedented result for the party, marking its strongest showing since the end of World War II, doubling its support from 2021 and pushing the party into a more mainstream position. The AfD has been vocal about its opposition to immigration, the European Union, and Germany’s approach to climate change and social welfare programs.

Meanwhile, the Greens, Germany’s environmentalist party, suffered a loss of support, dropping to 11.6% of the vote. Despite being in a governing coalition under Scholz’s leadership, they were hit hard by critiques of their environmental policies and the rising costs of energy and climate initiatives. The Left party, often considered Germany’s far-left alternative, also performed better than expected, with 8.8%, nearly doubling its vote share from the last election.

One of the biggest surprises was the performance of the Die Linke party, which proved popular with younger voters, securing significant support in urban areas like Berlin, where it captured nearly 20% of the vote.

The Future of Germany's Coalition

With no single party able to claim an outright majority in Germany’s 630-member Bundestag, coalition talks are set to begin in earnest. Merz, despite his CDU’s victory, faces a difficult challenge in assembling a working coalition. While grand coalition talks between the CDU and the SPD are technically possible, the SPD has ruled out partnering with the CDU after their poor performance. This leaves Merz with two main options for coalition-building: an alliance with the SPD or a three-party coalition involving the Greens and the Left.

One of the central issues at stake in these negotiations will be Germany’s approach to immigration. Merz has been vocal in his calls for stricter immigration policies and deportations, which could create tensions in any partnership with the Greens or Die Linke, both of whom support more lenient immigration policies. Likewise, the economic agenda will be a crucial factor: Merz advocates for corporate tax cuts and a pro-business stance, while the Greens and the Left call for higher taxes on the wealthy and increased spending on renewable energy and social programs.

While the AfD is unlikely to be invited into the coalition, its rise has nevertheless reshaped the political discourse. The AfD’s growing influence has made it more difficult for the mainstream parties to ignore its agenda, particularly on issues such as immigration and nationalism. For Merz, the question will be whether he can navigate these tensions without alienating potential partners.

The Surge of the AfD: A Right-Wing Revolution?

The AfD’s historic rise is perhaps the most striking feature of the 2025 election. The party’s share of the vote is the highest for any right-wing or far-right group since Nazi Germany, and it has left many wondering whether this marks the beginning of a long-term shift to the right in German politics.

The AfD’s rise has been driven by growing public discontent with immigration, crime, and the perceived elitism of mainstream political parties. The party, which has strong support in eastern Germany, has capitalized on frustrations over the integration of refugees and economic stagnation in certain regions. The AfD’s rhetoric is often deeply nationalist and anti-globalist, and party leaders like Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla have openly expressed their support for reductionist views on immigration and EU reform.

The AfD’s success is also attributed to its opposition to what it calls the "eco-madness" of climate policies and its appeals to those who feel alienated by modern progressive ideologies. The party’s voters are drawn from a wide spectrum, but they tend to share a populist distrust of the establishment. In particular, the AfD has gained ground in rural areas, where voters feel that their concerns over economic instability and cultural change have been ignored by the political elite.

International Reactions: Concerns Over the Far Right

While Friedrich Merz’s win has been hailed by some international leaders, the AfD’s surge has drawn sharp reactions globally. European Union officials, including Kaja Kallas, emphasized the importance of quickly forming a new government to address shared challenges in defense and economic stability. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the result as part of a global trend against immigration and climate policies.

However, many leaders have expressed concern over the rise of the AfD, especially in light of its extreme-right rhetoric. Jewish organizations in Germany, such as the Central Council of Jews, have expressed alarm over the party’s association with neo-Nazi ideologies and right-wing extremism. The success of the AfD has also raised concerns among European leaders, particularly in countries like France and the UK, where the rise of the far right could embolden similar movements.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini have been more supportive of the AfD, framing the party’s rise as a natural response to immigration and EU policies. Austria's far-right party, the Freedom Party, has also praised the AfD, signaling a shift toward European unity among right-wing populist groups.

What’s Next for Germany?

Germany now faces a period of uncertainty, with a deeply divided electorate and the challenge of forming a stable coalition. The rise of the AfD has complicated coalition-building for Merz, who has promised not to align with the far-right party. Yet, as Germany grapples with economic challenges, immigration issues, and geopolitical tensions, the country will need strong, decisive leadership.

The result of the 2025 election underscores a shifting political landscape in Germany, where polarization between the far-right and the progressive left is becoming more pronounced. How Friedrich Merz navigates this political minefield in the coming months will shape the future of Germany and Europe for years to come.