Merz claims win for German conservatives as far right surges to strongest postwar election result
Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is set to return to power with the far-right Alternative for Germany as second-largest party, exit polls show, after snap elections dominated by concerns over immigration,
Exit polls in Germany's 2025 election give Merz's conservatives lead and put far right on strongest postwar showing
Exit polls show the center-right Christian Democratic Union party leading, with the AfD party heading towards the strongest showing of the far-right since World War II.
LIVE
Exit polls show Merz in the lead while AfD makes historic gains in Germany election
Outgoing German chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded the election and decried the historic gains of the far-right conservative party, AfD. Early exit polls show AfD is headed for second place, while opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives are in the lead and Scholz’s party fell to third.
Conservatives are poised to win the German election, with Musk-backed AfD in second
The vote comes at a pivotal time for Europe, which faces an increasingly assertive Trump administration.
German Election results in full: Conservative victor Merz faces battle to form coalition as far-right AfD waits in wings
The country's far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), saw a historic jump in support, winning 20.8% of the vote. "Next time we'll come first," AfD party leader Alice Weidel vowed.
Germany’s Merz claims victory for his conservatives as exit polls put far right on strong showing
The center-right opposition is favored to win, while polls point to the strongest result for a far-right party since World War II
Conservatives head for German election victory, exit polls say
Millions voted for a new federal government after the country's three-party coalition fell apart at the end of last year.
German conservatives win election but far-right AfD surges, exit polls show
Germany's opposition conservatives won the national election on Sunday, putting leader Friedrich Merz on track to be the next chancellor while the far-right Alternative for Germany came in second, its best ever result, projections showed.
German elections: CDU’s Merz looks set to be next chancellor as far-right AfD surges
Millions of Germans are voting in snap elections. The centre-right CDU is predicted to win the biggest share of votes, putting its leader Friedrich Merz in pole position to be next chancellor. Follow live updates.
'We have won the election': Germany's conservative leaders celebrate as far-right projected to take second place
Alternative for Germany (AfD) is now on course to win 20.5% of the vote, according to latest projections - but there is no way Friedrich Merz will work with it because of a long-standing political taboo against working with the far right, known as a Brandmauer - a firewall.
Germany’s far-right AfD still faces limits, despite election success
The success of the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is a sign of the times. Across Europe, far-right parties once on the fringe have gone mainstream.
Elon Musk’s star power fails to help far-right AfD win German election
In spite of the Tesla CEO's best efforts, the AfD performed no better than had been expected when snap elections were called.
German conservatives lead election with far-right AfD in second place, exit polls show
Polls are open across Germany as the world’s third largest economy chooses a new leader to guide it through an era of febrile ...
Live Updates: Germany Votes in High-Stakes Election
Voting will soon close in national elections. Polls show the hard-right AfD party is likely to have its best showing ever.
Discontented Germany votes in an election with economy, migration and far-right strength in focus
The center-right opposition is favored to win, while polls point to the strongest result for a far-right party since World ...
The German Elections Could Transform the EU
If the far-right AfD performs well in Germany's national elections, it could have major implications for the EU.