Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz won a lackluster victory in a national election, while the far-right Alternative for Germany doubled its support since World War II. Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat, and the election results showed a shift in political landscape with challenges ahead for forming a coalition government.
Key Points
Friedrich Merz's Union bloc at 28.5%
Alternative for Germany (AfD) at 20.5%
Social Democrats at just over 16%
Greens at about 12%
Pros
Increased engagement in the political process
Potential for new government policies and directions