An expert spoke about Germany's new political course after the Bundestag elections

On Sunday, February 23, early elections to the lower house of parliament - the Bundestag - were held in Germany. As expected, the opposition CDU/CSU bloc won with almost 30% of the votes.

To Munich with its samovar: the U.S. decided to help the far-right on the eve of the Bundestag elections

Vice President Vance has intervened in German politics

The head of the CDU/CSU Friedrich Merz is now the main contender for the post of Chancellor. According to Artem Sokolov, a researcher at the Center for European Studies of the IMI MGIMO Artem Sokolov, his rise to power promises a softening of the EU sanctions policy.

"Although Merz was formed precisely within the transatlantic paradigm, nevertheless, as a person who built his career surrounded by key representatives of the German economy, he understands the interests of German business and sees how industrial companies are suffering from anti-Russian sanctions and especially from the rupture of German-Russian relations in the energy sector. In this sense, we can't rule out moves in this area," Sokolov emphasized.

Merz's first task as chancellor will be to build working contacts with the new U.S. administration.

"Merz will try to reconfigure transatlantic relations in such a way that what Germany is ready to give corresponds to [ US President Donald] Trump's requests. As a lawyer, Merz has worked for big German business and worked alongside American business, so he will try to find common ground with Trump. Both know how to make deals and are somewhat similar in that sense. He will build a policy within the framework of a common transatlantic vector, and it is easier to clarify this vector when meeting with Trump in person," Sokolov said.

The final turnout in the elections amounted to a record 83%. The Social Democratic Party of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz showed the worst ever result, receiving just over 16%. They were surpassed by the right-wing Alternative for Germany party with 20%, which became the country's second political force.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive piece:

Tired of Scholz: How Berlin's politics will change after the elections in Germany