German elections: CDU declares victory as small parties fail to enter Parliament
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has officially emerged as the winner of the 2025 German elections. With all votes counted, the CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, secured 28.7% of the votes, positioning itself as the leading party in the Bundestag. Meanwhile, smaller parties failed to surpass the 5% threshold required to gain parliamentary representation.
CDU leads, AfD secures second place
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) finished second with 20.9% of the vote, marking a significant rise in support. This result nearly doubles AfD’s performance in the 2021 elections and represents the strongest showing for an extreme-right party in Germany since World War II.
Smaller parties miss the parliamentary threshold
Among the smaller parties, the conservative Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) narrowly missed the threshold, securing 4.97% and 4.8%, respectively. Early projections had suggested that BSW might enter the Bundestag, potentially complicating Merz’s coalition plans. However, the final count confirmed its exclusion.
In contrast, the far-left Die Linke performed better than expected, achieving 8% of the vote. This late surge secured its place in the Bundestag, despite earlier concerns about its electoral viability.
SPD suffers historic defeat
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) of incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz suffered a severe setback, obtaining only 16% of the vote. This marks the worst result for the party since 1887. Scholz acknowledged the defeat, stating that the SPD must work to regain public trust and rebuild its voter base.
Political implications and coalition possibilities
The CDU’s victory sets the stage for coalition negotiations. With smaller parties out of the equation, Merz may seek an alliance with the SPD or the Greens to secure a governing majority. The AfD’s strong showing, however, signals a shift in German politics, raising concerns among mainstream parties about the rise of nationalist sentiment.
The election outcome reshapes Germany’s political landscape, with the CDU reclaiming dominance while traditional parties face mounting challenges. As coalition talks unfold, the future direction of German governance remains uncertain.
