Germany's conservatives win election as far-right AfD leaps to second place, exit polls show
The Christian Democratic Union and its allied Christian Social Union secured the largest share of votes in the German federal election, exit polls show.
'We have won the election': Germany's conservative leaders celebrate as far-right projected to take second place
Alternative for Germany (AfD) is now on course to win 20.5% of the vote, according to latest projections - but there is no way Friedrich Merz will work with it because of a long-standing political taboo against working with the far right, known as a Brandmauer - a firewall.
Merz claims win for German conservatives as far right surges to strongest postwar election result
Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is set to return to power with the far-right Alternative for Germany as second-largest party, exit polls show, after snap elections dominated by concerns over immigration,
Conservatives are poised to win the German election, with Musk-backed AfD in second
The vote comes at a pivotal time for Europe, which faces an increasingly assertive Trump administration.
German election live: Centre-right CDU and CSU parties win, say exit polls
Germany’s centre-right CDU and CSU parties have won the federal elections with about 28.5 to 29 per cent of the vote according to exit polls, paving the way for CDU leader Friedrich Merz to become chancellor at a time of economic and political upheaval in Europe’s largest democracy.
Conservatives projected to win German election
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, leader of the SPD, said the election results were "bitter" for his party and a "defeat". Speaking to supporters in Berlin, Scholz said "we have to acknowledge we have lost the election".
Conservative Friedrich Merz Is Poised to Win German Election
The conservatives’ expected victory comes despite a historically strong showing by the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD.
Conservatives heading to victory in German election; far right surges
The Christian Democratic Union has won a plurality in the Bundestag, preliminary exit polls suggested Sunday, while the far-right AfD has come in second.
Exit polls in Germany's 2025 election give Merz's conservatives lead and put far right on strongest postwar showing
Exit polls show the center-right Christian Democratic Union party leading, with the AfD party heading towards the strongest showing of the far-right since World War II.
Germany Election Results: Center-Right Leader Declares Victory—And Elon Musk-Boosted AfD Celebrates
Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) declared victory Sunday as exit polls and early results suggest the ...
German elections: CDU’s Merz looks set to be next chancellor as far-right AfD surges
Millions of Germans are voting in snap elections. The centre-right CDU is predicted to win the biggest share of votes, putting its leader Friedrich Merz in pole position to be next chancellor. Follow ...
Germany's election in graphics
Germany's election on Sunday delivered a win to the conservative opposition as well as a historic surge in support for the ...
The German Elections Could Transform the EU
If the far-right AfD performs well in Germany's national elections, it could have major implications for the EU.
Leading contenders make their final appeals to German voters before a landmark election
The contenders in Germany’s election are making their final appeals to voters. The opposition leader and front-runner vowed ...