If BSW had fallen below the threshold, Merz would have been able to theoretically form a coalition with Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD). Now, it appears, he’ll need both the Greens and the SPD, a circumstance that could lead to painful, drawn out and coalition negotiations.
The FDP at just 4.4 percent, failed to make it into the Bundestag — a major setback for a party that was part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s fractious three-party coalition. By the end of the night, it’s chancellor candidate and former finance minister, Christian Lindner, announced he would retire from politics.
Merz is Angela Merkel’s bitter rival
Merz’s rise to power could scarcely come at a more critical time for Europe. Trump’s upending of the post-World War II order ― by often siding with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, raising questions over the U.S. commitment to defending Europe and offering support to far-right populists ― means Merz’s tenure as chancellor looks likely to be the most significant of any since the Cold War.
Merz will become Germany’s first center-right leader since Angela Merkel stepped down in 2021. Although they come from the same party, they are bitter rivals and during the election campaign she criticized Merz for his dalliance with the hardline policies of the far right and for ending the longstanding commitment not to rely on their votes in parliament
The AfD’s historic second-place finish, according to the projection, nearly doubles its 2021 result. The party is on course to become the biggest opposition force in parliament as all mainstream parties have ruled out entering a coalition with it.
The center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) of incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to record its worst performance in a national parliamentary election since adopting its current name in 1890, finishing in third with 16.3 percent.