Conservatives set to lead German coalition as far-right party surges

AfD hails its best result ever’ as Merz starts talks to form government

- Deborah Cole

The conservative opposition CDU/ CSU won the most votes in Germany’s general election, preliminary results indicated last night, but a dramatic surge by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is likely to complicate the formation of a government to help spearhead a European response to growing global threats.

The CDU/CSU candidate, Friedrich Merz, was preparing last night to try to form a ruling coalition after clinching roughly 29% of the vote amid high turnout. "I'd like to express my respect for our political rivals," he said, referring to fellow centrists. "It was a very tough campaign.

"Now we need to talk to each other and as quickly as possible form a government for Germany that can take action so that we can do the right thing at home, be present again in Europe and make sure the world sees that Germany again has a reliable government." The AfD, buoyed up by anger about immigration, violent crime and high energy costs, received about 20% of the vote - coming in second place and nearly doubling its result at the last election in 2021.

The party's chancellor candidate and co-leader, Alice Weidel, cheered the outcome with AfD officials including the extremist firebrand Björn Höcke, who has been convicted of using the banned Nazi slogan Alles für Deutschland (Everything for Germany) in campaign speeches.