What happened on February 23? - Germany's 2025 election reshapes politics as CDU wins and AfD surges to second
Germany's political landscape shifted dramatically in the 2025 federal election. The center-right CDU/CSU, led by Friedrich Merz, secured victory with 28.5% of the vote, while the far-right AfD surged to second place at 20.8%. Meanwhile, the center-left SPD suffered its worst-ever result, dropping to just 16.4%.
The election followed the collapse of the Ampel coalition, pushing voters toward the CDU/CSU and AfD. The Greens retained 11.6% of the vote, while the Left Party entered parliament with 8.8%. However, both the pro-business FDP and the far-left BSW failed to clear the 5% threshold, losing their parliamentary seats.
A CDU/CSU-SPD coalition formed under Chancellor Merz, securing a Bundestag majority. But by March 2026, polls showed declining support for the government, with the Union at 25-26% and AfD rising to 24-25%. Merz's approval rating stood at just 25%, raising concerns about the coalition's long-term stability. The election results marked a historic low for the SPD, which had never before fallen below 20% in a federal vote. The outcome also highlighted the growing influence of the AfD, which nearly doubled its 2021 result.
The CDU/CSU now leads a fragile coalition with the SPD, but slipping poll numbers suggest further instability ahead. If current trends continue, the government risks losing its majority, leaving Merz's leadership under pressure. The election has reshaped German politics, with the AfD's rise and the SPD's decline setting a new course for the country.
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