Union under pressure: Merz is fighting for a stable coalition after an election disaster!

Union under pressure: Merz is fighting for a stable coalition after an election disaster!

On February 23, 2025 there was the federal election in Germany, which had far-reaching consequences for the CDU/CSU and the SPD. The Union achieved a clear victory with 28.5 percent of the vote, but it was the second worst result in the party's history. With just 16.4 percent, the SPD fell behind the AfD, which received 20.8 percent. This election clearly showed that a large part of the German population is dissatisfied with the work of the previous government, and only 17 percent said they were satisfied with its policies, which is a negative record, as daily news reported.

A central point in the exploratory talks between the Union and the SPD is the formation of a new coalition. Friedrich Merz, the prospective new chancellor, has set the goal of reaching an agreement by Easter. Nevertheless, a failure of the talks cannot be ruled out. The decision not to cooperate with the AfD is also clear, as a black-green coalition does not have the necessary majority. In this context, the Union is held responsible for both refugee policy and the general uncertainty in the political situation, which endangers Merz's strategic approaches, such as Vienna.at notes.

Impact of the election and the role of the AfD

The strength of the AfD has decisively changed the political landscape in Germany. With its constant focus on anti-immigration issues, the party has managed to establish itself as a mainstream political force, addressing voters' concerns at a time of intensifying challenges. While 54 percent of the population blames the Union for the high number of refugees, the popularity of the AfD shows that a significant clientele supports the party's more conservative approaches. This happened despite the connections to right-wing extremist positions, such as the analogue reporting of daily news clarified.

The result of the election is not only a success for the Union and the AfD, but also a challenge for the parties that position themselves to the left of center. The vote has a profound impact on Friedrich Merz's political simulation, especially that the gap between the traditional voters of the SPD and the CDU/CSU continues to narrow. The SPD's inability to demonstrate convincing leadership and ongoing disinterest in coalition talks raise questions about how stable a new government will actually be. Merz now faces the crucial task of convincing potential partners while political tensions between the camps remain high.