CDU/CSU wins German election, AfD second with record 20.8 percent

The Christian Democratic CDU/CSU won 28.5 percent of the vote in the snap Bundestag election on February 23, according to preliminary results from the Federal Returning Officer. Alternative for Germany (AfD) came second with 20.8 percent, its best ever result, and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) third with 16.4 percent.

The Greens won 11.6 percent and the Left 8.8 percent. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) fell short of the threshold with 4.97 percent, as did the liberal FDP with 4.3 percent. Turnout of 82.5 percent was the highest since German reunification.

Merz seeks a partner

CDU leader Friedrich Merz promised to form a government quickly and ruled out cooperation with the AfD. The most likely option is a coalition with the SPD, which together would have a majority in parliament. Chancellor Olaf Scholz took responsibility for the defeat.