Leader of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance Friedrich Merz will try to form a coalition after winning less than thirty percent of the vote on Sunday.

Germany's conservatives swept to victory in the country's elections on Sunday, February 23, with their leader Friedrich Merz set to become the next chancellor, followed by the far-right AfD in second place after record gains.

Merz urged the speedy formation of a new coalition government, warning that as US President Donald Trump is driving rapid and disruptive changes, "the world isn't waiting for us." He stressed that – after Trump reached out to Russia and made comments fuelling doubts about the future strength of NATO – Europe must boost its defense capabilities and said that he has "no illusions at all about what is coming out of America."

Merz's CDU/CSU alliance won more than 28% of the vote, according to projections at 3 am local time, crushing the Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which were looking at a historic low of 16%. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) almost doubled its score to over 20%, boosted by fears over immigration and security after a spate of deadly attacks blamed on asylum seekers.

Merz – a long-time party rival of ex-chancellor Angela Merkel – has vowed a crackdown on irregular immigration. He hopes to win back votes from the AfD whose rise has stunned many in a country still seeking to atone for its dark Nazi history.

For now, the AfD, basking in the vocal support of key Trump allies, is set to stay in opposition. All other parties have vowed to keep it out of power and behind a "firewall" of non-cooperation. But its jubilant leader Alice Weidel hailed the "historic" result and again said her party was ready to govern with the CDU/CSU.

"Fate of Europe"

Before Merz, 69, takes over from the now caretaker chancellor Scholz, he will have to forge a new coalition government in Europe's top economy, an often drawn-out process he has vowed to complete by Easter. This threatens to leave Berlin paralyzed for weeks to come as the Trump administration has forced head-spinning change on the world scene and among European allies, especially over the Ukraine war which enters its third year on Monday.

The German election came amid tectonic upheaval in US-Europe ties sparked by Trump going over the heads of European leaders to make a direct outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the three-year-old Ukraine war. "After Donald Trump's statements in the last week it is clear that the Americans are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe," Merz said in a post-election TV debate.

He said his "absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA" in defense matters.

To build a majority, Merz may first reach out to the SPD, though without Scholz, who apologized for his party's "bitter" defeat. Merz could also approach the Greens, who scored 12%, although the CDU's Bavarian sister party the CSU has so far rejected this.

"Period of uncertainty"

World leaders congratulated Merz on his win on Sunday, with French President Emmanuel Macron stressing the need for unity "in this period of uncertainty."

"We are more determined than ever to achieve great things together for France and for Germany and to work for a stong and sovereign Europe," Macron posted on social media. "In this period of uncertainty, we are united to face the great challenges of the world and of our continent."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped to work with Germany to "strengthen Europe." "We look forward to continuing our joint work with Germany to protect lives, bring real peace closer to Ukraine, and strengthen Europe," Zelensky posted on X. "Europe must be able to defend itself, develop its industries, and achieve the necessary results," he added. "Europe needs shared successes, and those success will bring even greater unity to Europe."

NATO chief Mark Rutte said he was looking forward to working with him "in this crucial moment for our shared security." "It's vital that Europe step up on defence spending and your leadership will be key," he added in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also congratulated Merz, welcoming the chance to "enhance their joint security." "I look forward to working with the new government to deepen our already strong relationship, enhance our joint security and deliver growth for both our countries," Starmer posted on X."

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