The Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party has secured its highest-ever share of the electorate with around 20% of the vote, coming second in a national election for the first time since World War II. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, is on track to win the election, projected to secure about 30% of the vote.
However, due to Germany’s long-standing “firewall” policy against making deals with far-right parties, it’s unlikely that the AfD will be considered for a coalition. This agreement has been in place since reunification in the 1990s and is rooted in historical concerns about the rise of the Nazis.
Merz, who grew up in a socially conservative region, embodies many of the virtues of pre-reunification Germany but has long been overshadowed by Angela Merkel’s dominance in German politics. Merkel’s ascent led to her quickly dominating both the political landscape in her party and country as well as Europe.
The CDU/CSU coalition is expected to be more pro-business and anti-regulation, with a stronger focus on rebuilding Germany’s industry and economy. However, this shift might come at the cost of environmental policies and social issues. The new government will likely approach security differently, with the CDU taking a more pro-Ukraine stance.
The AfD’s 20% share marks a significant win for the far-right party, but it remains to be seen how this will impact Germany’s politics in the long run.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-24/what-far-right-biggest-win-since-ww2-means-for-germanys-firewall/104972848