Germany's Conservatives Triumph, Far-Right AfD Surges in Election

Germany's conservatives, led by Friedrich Merz, have emerged victorious in the country's snap election, according to exit polls. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), are projected to win around 30% of the vote, securing a comfortable lead over the rest of the field. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, led by Alice Weidel, is expected to place second, with around 20% of the vote, marking its best-ever showing in a national election.

The election, held more than half a year ahead of schedule, was called after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's unpopular and long-troubled three-party government collapsed in November. The vote comes at a time of upheaval for Europe and its biggest economy as US President Donald Trump has ended a united Western stance on the Ukraine war by reaching out to Russia.

The AfD's strong showing is a reflection of growing discontent among German voters, who have been grappling with a series of bloody attacks, most recently a stabbing that badly wounded a 30-year-old Spanish man at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial on Friday. The suspect is thought to have an anti-Semitic motive. The mood has been further inflamed by a series of deadly knife attacks and car-rammings blamed on migrants, which have fueled anger and fear among the German population.

The AfD has capitalized on this discontent, positioning itself as a voice for the "silent majority" of Germans who feel left behind by the political establishment. The party has also been boosted by the support of Trump's inner circle, with tech billionaire Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance speaking out in support of the party.

The AfD's gains, however, are not without controversy. The party has been criticized for its anti-immigrant stance and its ties to far-right extremist groups. Weidel, the AfD's co-leader, has praised Russia's President Vladimir Putin and has called for an end to sanctions against Russia. She has also criticized the EU's support for Ukraine, stating that "Ukraine is not a member of the EU and will never be one."

The election results are expected to have significant implications for Germany's energy policy, particularly its nuclear phase-out and renewable energy targets. The SPD's poor performance may indicate a shift in public opinion regarding the party's handling of energy policy, while the CDU's victory may suggest a shift towards a more pragmatic and market-oriented approach. The rise of the AfD party may also have implications for Germany's energy policy, as the party has taken a critical stance on the SPD's approach to energy and climate change.



In conclusion, the German election has resulted in a victory for the conservative CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, while the far-right AfD party, led by Alice Weidel, has surged to second place. The election comes at a time of upheaval for Europe and its biggest economy, as the US President Donald Trump has ended a united Western stance on the Ukraine war by reaching out to Russia. The AfD's strong showing is a reflection of growing discontent among German voters, who have been grappling with a series of bloody attacks and a sluggish economy. The election results are expected to have significant implications for Germany's energy policy, particularly its nuclear phase-out and renewable energy targets.