Strategic Signal

The presence of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea, a relatively rare occurrence, has raised eyebrows in Australia and New Zealand.

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German voters have delivered a fragmented verdict, reflecting deep political shifts and divisions within the country. While Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) have emerged victorious, their lower-than-expected 28.6 per cent vote share underscores the challenges ahead. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a historic second-place finish with 20.8 per cent, a sign of Germany's political polarisation. The results raise critical questions about the future of governance, coalition-building, and the broader implications for Europe.

Mr Merz's victory was not the decisive mandate he had hoped for. His campaign centred on economic revival, border security, and reducing bureaucracy; yet his party fell short of the 30 per cent threshold they had targeted. With the Social Democrats (SPD) suffering their worst-ever defeat at 16.4 per cent and the Greens underperforming, forming a stable coalition will be a far from straightforward task.

The traditional centrist bloc is struggling to command voter confidence, forcing coalition negotiations that could be drawn out and messy. A two-party coalition may be insufficient, and a three-party alliance risks instability. The reluctance of mainstream parties to work with the AfD further complicates the equation, highlighting the challenge of governing amid growing voter disillusionment with the political establishment.