A cautious cheer erupted at the CDU's election watch party in Berlin when the polling stations closed at 6 pm and the exit poll was presented. With 29 percent, the Christian Democratic CDU/CSU appears to be the largest party in the German election – but the result is still a disappointment for many.
I had clearly wished for a few more percent, says CDU member Lena Behnke from Kürten near Cologne.
Just like several others TT has spoken to, she sees the Social Democrats as the most reasonable coalition partner in the next government – but first, she wants Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to leave politics.
Maybe this is a good opportunity for him to focus on family life.
Must start quickly
Merz took the stage around 6:30 pm, together with sister party CSU's Markus Söder, and emphasized the importance of swift government formation.
We have won the election to the Bundestag, exclaimed Merz.
The world out there is not waiting for us. It's not waiting for lengthy coalition talks and negotiations. Now we must start working quickly and do what's necessary in our own country, be present in Europe, and take our place in the world.
The greatest joy was perhaps at the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD), where the cheering was constant at the election watch party. According to the prognosis, the party receives 19.5 percent and becomes the second-largest party. It's almost a doubling compared to the 2021 election, and the party appears to be heading towards its best result for a far-right party in Germany since World War II.
This is a historic success, said one of the party leaders, Alice Weidel, who demands more influence in politics.
In contrast, there were gloomy faces at the Social Democrats' election watch party in the Willy-Brandt-Haus in Berlin. The party achieved its worst election result since the 1880s with 16 percent.
I congratulate Friedrich Merz and CDU on forming the next government. We live in a democracy, said Olaf Scholz.
Later on Sunday, Scholz said he personally does not intend to participate in government negotiations with CDU, nor join the next government.
Liberals FDP out?
The Green Party, which also sat in the outgoing government, receives 13.5 percent – but the party does not back down as much as some feared.
Liberal FDP's party leader Christian Lindner announced after the election debacle that he will leave politics entirely if the party does not enter the Bundestag. FDP was, according to exit polls, just below the 5 percent threshold to the Bundestag.
Christian Democratic CDU/CSU: 28.6 percent (+4.4 percentage points since the last election).
Social Democratic SPD: 16.5 percent (–9.2)
Green Party Die Grünen: 12.1 percent (–2.6)
Liberal FDP: 4.7 percent (–6.7)
Left Party Die Linke: 8.7 percent (+3.8)
Far-right AFD: 20.5 percent (+10.1)
Left-conservative BSW: 5.0 percent (not in the last election)
Smaller parties 3.9 (--4.8)
Result at 8:58 pm.
Source: Forschungsgruppe Wahlen/ZDF
