German conservatives win election but far-right AfD surges, exit polls show
Germany's opposition conservatives have won the national election, positioning Friedrich Merz as the likely next chancellor. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured second place, marking their best result in a national election, according to exit polls.
The conservative CDU/CSU bloc garnered 28.5% of the vote, while the AfD followed with 20%. Merz, a 69-year-old economic liberal, aims to provide stronger leadership than his predecessor and improve relations with key allies. However, forming a coalition government will be challenging due to divisions over migration and the handling of the AfD, given Germany's historical sensitivity to far-right politics.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Germany's opposition conservatives have won the national election, positioning Friedrich Merz as the likely next chancellor. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured second place, marking their best result in a national election, according to exit polls.
The conservative CDU/CSU bloc garnered 28.5% of the vote, while the AfD followed with 20%. Merz, a 69-year-old economic liberal, aims to provide stronger leadership than his predecessor and improve relations with key allies. However, forming a coalition government will be challenging due to divisions over migration and the handling of the AfD, given Germany's historical sensitivity to far-right politics.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
