BERLIN, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s opposition conservative CDU/CSU bloc, is set to become the next chancellor after winning the national election on Sunday. As he prepares for complex coalition negotiations, Merz pledged to strengthen Europe’s independence from the United States, criticizing Washington’s role in German affairs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Merz, 69, must now navigate a fractured political landscape following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s unpopular three-way coalition. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to second place with a historic 20.5% of the vote, nearly doubling its previous result. However, mainstream parties have firmly ruled out forming a government with the AfD, despite its endorsement from prominent U.S. figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The election results highlight deep divisions in German society over migration, economic policy, and foreign relations. Merz, who has no prior experience in government, now faces the challenge of stabilizing Europe’s largest economy, which has been struggling with stagnation and global competition.
Merz Criticizes U.S. Influence
In a striking rebuke to the U.S., Merz accused Washington of interfering in German politics, calling American comments during the campaign “ultimately outrageous” and likening them to Russian meddling.
“So we are under such massive pressure from two sides that my absolute priority now is to achieve unity in Europe,” Merz told a roundtable with other political leaders. “It is possible to create unity in Europe.”
His remarks reflect a shift in Germany’s traditional stance toward transatlantic relations. While Merz was previously seen as a pro-U.S. politician, he suggested that Trump’s administration has shown “indifference to the fate of Europe.”
“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence from the USA step by step,” Merz stated. He also questioned the future of NATO, asking whether the alliance should continue in its current form.
Trump Applauds German Election Outcome
Despite Merz’s criticism, former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the German election results, suggesting that voters had rejected leftist policies on energy and immigration.
“Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda that has prevailed for so many years,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s previous comments have stirred controversy in Germany, particularly his insistence that European nations should contribute more to their own defense, hinting at a potential shift in NATO’s structure under a second Trump administration.
Coalition Talks Could Take Months
Germany now faces a prolonged period of political uncertainty as Merz seeks coalition partners. His conservative CDU/CSU bloc won 28.5% of the vote, but it remains unclear whether he will need one or two additional parties to form a majority.
The Social Democrats (SPD) suffered their worst post-war result, plummeting to 16.5%, with Scholz conceding a “bitter” defeat. The Greens secured 11.8%, while the far-left Die Linke party performed unexpectedly well, earning 8.7% with strong support from younger voters. The pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) hovered around the 5% threshold required to enter parliament.
A three-party coalition, if necessary, would likely be fragile, hampering Germany’s ability to project clear leadership both domestically and within the EU.
Caretaker Scholz, Economic Uncertainty
With coalition talks expected to drag on, Chancellor Scholz will remain in a caretaker role for months, delaying urgent economic measures needed to boost growth. Germany has faced two consecutive years of economic contraction, and businesses are struggling to compete globally.
The political vacuum also raises concerns about Germany’s role in European security and trade negotiations. Trump has threatened a new trade war with Europe and is reportedly working on a fast-track ceasefire deal for Ukraine that excludes European involvement.
A Shift to the Right in German Politics
Merz, a pro-business conservative, represents a clear shift away from the centrist policies of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years. While he supports strengthening NATO, he has suggested that Germany should take a more independent role in European defense, rather than relying on Washington.
His stance on Ukraine has also been more aggressive than Scholz’s, as he conditionally supports sending Taurus long-range missiles to Kyiv, a move the outgoing government hesitated to take.
Meanwhile, the AfD’s record-breaking result signals a growing rightward shift in German politics. While the party remains politically isolated due to its extreme positions, its rise reflects voter frustration with mainstream parties’ handling of immigration and economic policy.
Voter turnout was the highest since German reunification in 1990, reaching 83%, according to exit polls. The electorate was sharply divided along gender lines, with men leaning more toward right-wing parties and women favoring leftist options.
The Road Ahead
Germany’s next government will need to address multiple crises, from economic stagnation to geopolitical uncertainty. Merz’s conservative victory marks a new era in German politics, one that could redefine the country’s relationship with the U.S. and the EU.
As coalition talks begin, all eyes are on whether Merz can form a stable government—or if Germany will face prolonged political deadlock at a critical moment for Europe’s future.
