The Bundestag elections held on February 23, 2025, brought significant shifts in Germany’s political landscape. The results suggest major changes in the country’s governance, which could also impact the future of the European Union.
CDU/CSU Victory – Conservatives Return to Power
The conservative CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, won the most votes, securing 28.6% of the electorate. This marks a significant improvement compared to the 2021 elections, when the Christian Democrats received only 24.1%.
Merz, who campaigned on promises of stricter immigration policies, tax cuts, and stronger support for German industry, described the results as a clear signal that voters desire a shift away from the policies of the SPD-Greens-FDP coalition government.
Record-Breaking AfD Performance – Breaking a Political Taboo
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the second-largest political force in the Bundestag with 20.8% of the vote. This is the party’s best result in history and reflects its growing popularity, especially in eastern Germany, where it secured over 30% in many constituencies.
AfD remains highly controversial due to its anti-immigration and Eurosceptic stance. Despite its success, it remains politically isolated, as all major parties—including CDU/CSU, SPD, and the Greens—have firmly rejected any coalition talks with AfD at the federal level.
SPD’s Worst Result in History – Scholz’s Defeat
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz, received only 16.4% of the vote. This marks a dramatic decline from 2021 when the SPD surprisingly won with 25.7%.
This result is a historical blow to the party and signals voter dissatisfaction with Scholz’s government, particularly regarding economic policy and immigration. Despite last-minute campaign promises of a higher minimum wage and greater infrastructure investment, the SPD failed to regain voter trust.
Scholz acknowledged the defeat and announced that he would not participate in the next government, pushing the SPD into opposition.
German Federal Election 2025 – Declining Support for the Greens and FDP
The SPD’s coalition partners, the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), also suffered significant losses. The Greens received 12.3%, while the FDP barely surpassed the threshold with 6.8%.
The Greens lost support among voters disappointed by compromises in the Scholz government and the handling of environmental policies. The FDP, traditionally supported by the middle class, struggled to maintain its economic credibility in the face of growing concerns about Germany’s financial stability.
High Voter Turnout and Deepening Social Divisions
Voter turnout reached 84%, demonstrating strong public engagement. However, the election campaign revealed widening divisions in German society. Many voters turned to more radical parties like AfD, while traditional parties such as SPD and FDP saw significant losses.
What’s Next? Coalition Talks and Germany’s Future
Following the election results, Friedrich Merz announced the start of coalition negotiations. The most likely scenario is an attempt to form a “grand coalition” between CDU/CSU and SPD, despite the Social Democrats’ historically poor performance. However, Scholz has already declared that he will not join a Merz-led government.
Another possibility is a CDU/CSU coalition with the FDP and the Greens, but their low combined vote share makes this an unstable option.
If coalition talks fail, Germany may face a minority government or even early elections.
German Federal Election 2025 – Conclusion
- CDU/CSU wins with 28.6%, Friedrich Merz is close to forming a government.
- AfD achieves a record 20.8%, but remains politically isolated.
- SPD suffers a historic defeat with only 16.4% of the vote.
- Greens and FDP lose support, complicating coalition talks.
- Government formation remains uncertain, with CDU seeking coalition partners.
The election results indicate major political shifts in Germany, and the next government will face significant domestic and international challenges.
