Germany’s Election Shocker: Friedrich Merz’s Victory, Far-Right Surge, and a Call for European Independence
Germany’s political landscape has undergone a seismic shift following Sunday’s stunning election results, which saw opposition leader Friedrich Merz and his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) secure a victory, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made historic gains. In a dramatic post-election speech, Merz emphasized the urgent need for Europe to achieve independence from the United States, citing concerns over U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump’s administration.
Merz’s Big Win and the Rise of the AfD
Friedrich Merz, a veteran conservative known for his tough stance on immigration and economic policies, led the CDU to victory with 28.6% of the vote, according to preliminary official results. Meanwhile, the far-right AfD surged to an unprecedented 20.8%, securing its place as the second-largest party in Germany—a shocking result that solidifies its transition from a fringe movement to a major political force.
The AfD’s rise has sparked alarm across Europe, with mainstream parties vowing to uphold a political “firewall” preventing the group from joining any coalition government. The party has long been accused of extremist rhetoric and has controversially called for mass deportations of immigrants. However, its growing voter base signals increasing dissatisfaction with Germany’s traditional political elites.
The current center-left ruling coalition, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), suffered a humiliating defeat, garnering just 16.4% of the vote—a stark decline from its 25.7% win in 2021. The collapse of Scholz’s government, which struggled to address immigration concerns, economic instability, and European security, has paved the way for Merz to form a new ruling coalition.
Merz’s Call for European Independence from the U.S.
Speaking at a post-election roundtable, Merz stunned many by declaring his intent to strengthen Europe’s autonomy from the United States.
“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can truly achieve independence from the USA.” — Friedrich Merz
He specifically pointed to Donald Trump’s recent foreign policy moves, including peace talks with Russia that excluded European leaders, as proof that Washington’s interests do not always align with those of Europe. Merz warned that Trump’s actions highlight a growing indifference toward Europe among U.S. leaders, further justifying the need for a more self-reliant continent.
Tensions with the U.S. and Political Shifts in Europe
Merz’s victory comes at a pivotal moment for Europe. Trump’s efforts to reshape NATO, push peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine without European involvement, and disrupt traditional alliances have fueled uncertainty across the continent.
Adding to the political turbulence, tech mogul Elon Musk’s recent intervention in the German election campaign—which Merz denounced as “outrageous”—has further complicated Germany’s political narrative. The conservative leader accused both Washington and Moscow of trying to influence the election, underscoring the pressure Germany faces from multiple global powers.
A Divided Germany and a Tough Road Ahead
As Merz prepares to form a coalition government, the political divide in Germany has never been more apparent. Outside the CDU’s celebratory election headquarters, protesters gathered to voice concerns over Merz’s hardline stance on immigration, while at the AfD’s headquarters, party members cheered their record-breaking performance, waving German flags in triumph.
Germany’s political transformation comes amid heightened security concerns following two deadly attacks, both carried out by migrants. The incidents fueled anti-immigration rhetoric and likely contributed to the AfD’s surge in popularity. Even mainstream parties like the CDU and SPD adopted stricter immigration policies in the final weeks of the campaign, signaling a broader political shift to the right.
What’s Next? The Challenges of Coalition Building
Despite his victory, Merz now faces an uphill battle in forming a stable government. Germany’s coalition system makes it difficult for any party to govern alone, and negotiations with potential partners will likely take weeks.
The CDU may seek an alliance with the Social Democrats (SPD) or the Greens, both of whom served in Scholz’s failed coalition government. However, ideological differences could complicate any such arrangement. Meanwhile, the far-left Die Linke party, which unexpectedly cleared the 5% parliamentary threshold with 8.8% of the vote, could also influence coalition talks.
One thing is certain: the outcome of Germany’s election will reshape the country’s domestic and foreign policy for years to come. Merz’s pledge for European independence, combined with the AfD’s meteoric rise, signals the beginning of a new, unpredictable era in Germany’s political history.
