A divided Germany has emerged from Sunday’s election. The vote delivered a resounding defeat of the Social Democrats (SPD) of Chancellor Olaf Scholz and a clear victory for Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic alliance (CDU/CSU) — but not across the board.

Put simply, more than four in every five of Germany's 59.2 million voters turned out. It reflects just how energised Germans have been by this election, which comes at a pivotal moment for their country. There were nine TV debates in the final stretch of the campaign, but that reflected the broad interest of the audience.

THE right-wing Christian Democrat Union (CDU) led by Friedrich Merz came first in Sunday’s national election in Germany. The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to become the nation’s second-largest. The CDU won 208 seats in the 630-seat Bundestag, while the AfD won 152.

After the CDU/CSU emerged as the largest party in the federal election, one thing is certain: Germany is heading for a change of government. Which coalitions are possible according to the latest results?

Germany faces its second change of leader in less than four years after the head of the center-right opposition won Sunday’s election.

Federal Election has exacerbated the political crisis in Germany and Europe. The result confronts workers and young people who want to fight against fascism, militarism and social cuts with fundamental political questions and tasks.