Change of power: German elections won by the opposition CDU/CSU party

On Sunday, February 23, early parliamentary elections were held in Germany, which were originally scheduled to take place in the fall of 2025. According to preliminary data announced by the Federal Election Commission, the Christian Democratic and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc won with 28.6% of the vote. According to the election results, CDU leader Friedrich Merz will become the new Chancellor of Germany and will succeed Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). Read more about the election results and Merz's attitude to Russia - in the material "Izvestia".

Elections in Germany: who won, the formation of the government

On Sunday, February 23, in Germany held early elections to the Bundestag (unicameral parliament of Germany). It was supposed that the next vote will be held in September 2025, but due to the crisis in the ruling coalition "Traffic Light" and the passing of a vote of no confidence in the government on December 16, early elections became inevitable. According to the voting results announced by the Federal Election Commission, five parties have made it into parliament:

- The opposition CDU/CSU bloc, with 28.6 percent of the vote, will win 208 seats in parliament;

- the far-right Alternative for Germany (AdG) won the support of 20.8% of voters. It thus swept 151 deputies into the Bundestag;

- The SPD managed to win 16.4% of the vote and will be represented by 121 members of parliament;

- The Greens won 85 seats thanks to 11.6% of the vote;

- The Left gained 8.8% and won 64 seats in the Bundestag.

One more seat will be held by a non-partisan MP.

Thus, CDU leader Friedrich Merz will become Germany's new chancellor, but he needs to achieve a coalition with the other parties that made it to parliament. This is required to obtain a majority in the Bundestag (minimum 316), as well as to form a government. One suitable option would be for the CDU/CSU to cooperate with the SPD. The inclusion of the Greens is also possible.

Merz does not consider the AdG party, he told ARD: "We have fundamental differences with [AdG leader Alice] Weidel, for example in foreign and security policy, in many other aspects concerning the EU, the euro, NATO. They can reach out all they want, we do not intend to engage in policies that are wrong for this country. I do not intend to question the legacy of the union over the 75 years of the FRG's existence just because a so-called alternative for Germany has suddenly emerged. Their goals are opposite to ours, so there will be no cooperation."

According to Friedrich Merz, he plans to form a new government before Easter (in 2025 will be April 20). Until then, members of Olaf Scholz's cabinet will continue to fulfill their duties.

Reactions to the parliamentary elections in Germany

According to Russian Senator Alexei Pushkov, German voters are persistently voting for politicians "leading Germany to decline." In addition, they are "not fed up" with the increased number of problems that have hit the country in recent years, which will be exacerbated further. According to the senator, under the new chancellor, support for Ukraine, the decline of the German economy and problems with migrants will continue.

"Given Merz's aggressiveness towards Russia, more dramatic scenarios are possible in the form of even more active involvement of Germany in the war against Russia," Pushkov wrote in his Telegram channel.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated the AdG on the successful result, leaving out the victorious CDU/CSU: "The people of Germany voted for change in huge numbers. I would like to congratulate Alice Weidel on the fact that the AdH doubled its share of the vote. Good luck and God bless Germany!".

US President Donald Trump congratulated the CDU/CSU on their victory and wrote on social media at Truth Social: "Just like in the US, the people of Germany are tired of the common sense policies, especially in energy and immigration, that have prevailed for years."

The head of the European Council, António Costa, congratulating Friedrich Merz on his election victory, added that he was looking forward to "working closely with him to make Europe even stronger, more prosperous and more autonomous."

Friedrich Merz's attitude toward Russia and Ukraine

Friedrich Merz has been outspoken about his attitude towards Russia and the conflict in Ukraine. He said that ties with Russia would have to be mended sooner or later, but that Germany would continue to support Ukraine in the near future. In particular, he was in favor of supplying Kiev with long-range Taurus missiles.

German political analyst Alexander Rahr expressed his opinion on the conflict in Ukraine in his Telegram channel: "Merz wants to rally a weakening Europe around Germany, separate himself from Trump and create a militarily self-sufficient Europe for a possible war with Russia. Merz rejects a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine. For him, a military loss of Ukraine and a strengthening of Russia's position are unacceptable."