German voters elected a new Bundestag on Sunday, February 23. Exit polls showed a major victory for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). As a result, Friedrich Merz is now the frontrunner for chancellor.

Merz Confident About Government Formation

After the win, Merz declared victory. He promised to form a strong government for Germany. Moreover, he warned, “the world out there is not waiting for us or for lengthy negotiations.”

Coalition Talks Remain Uncertain

Now, the biggest challenge is forming a coalition. This decision will directly impact Germany’s domestic and foreign policies.

Although the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) placed second in exit polls, Merz has already ruled out any alliance with them. Consequently, other parties must negotiate to form a government. However, these talks will likely be tough and time-consuming.

SPD Suffers Major Defeat

Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) faced a historic loss. Their vote share dropped to one of the lowest levels since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany. Because of this poor performance, a CDU/CSU and SPD coalition seems unlikely.

Parties Struggle with Ideological Differences

In addition, key policy differences could block coalition talks. For example, some SPD members strongly oppose Merz’s migration policies. As a result, cooperation may become even harder.

At the same time, some CDU allies in Bavaria refuse to govern with the Greens. On the other hand, the Greens have urged Merz to soften his approach. Their chancellor candidate, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, advised him to “moderate his tone” after a heated election.

Merz Faces Tough Road Ahead

Now, Merz must focus on building a stable government. To do so, he needs to negotiate wisely, make compromises, and offer policy concessions. In the coming weeks, these discussions will determine Germany’s political future.