Germany’s political landscape is shifting as Friedrich Merz and the centre-right CDU/CSU alliance emerge victorious in Sunday’s national election. With 208 seats secured, they are set to take charge, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) trails behind with 151 seats. Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD has been pushed to third place with 120 seats, marking a major political shift in the country.
World Leaders React to Merz’s Victory
Donald Trump: “A Great Day for Germany”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump was among the first to react, celebrating the election results as a win for “common sense” policies on energy and immigration.
“Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda. This is a great day for Germany,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Netanyahu Welcomes New Leadership
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Merz, expressing enthusiasm for closer ties between Germany and Israel.
“Looking forward to working closely with your upcoming government to further strengthen the partnership between our two countries,” Netanyahu stated on X (formerly Twitter).
NATO Urges Stronger Defense Commitments
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also extended his congratulations, emphasizing Germany’s role in European defense.
“It’s vital that Europe step up on defense spending, and your leadership will be key,” he posted on X.
Merz’s Stance on Key Issues
Throughout his campaign, Merz has been a strong advocate for Ukraine’s defense, European security, and economic reforms. His leadership is expected to bring significant shifts in Germany’s foreign and domestic policies.
Elon Musk’s Controversial Endorsement
Notably, tech billionaire Elon Musk had previously urged German voters to support the AfD. However, the election results indicate that mainstream conservative parties still hold the upper hand in German politics.
