Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won the country’s election, according to preliminary data.
The CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, received 22.6% of the vote. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) received 20.8%.
“Looks like the conservative party in Germany has won the very big and highly anticipated election. Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration, that has prevailed for so many years,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This is a great day for Germany, and for the United States of America under the leadership of a gentleman named Donald J. Trump. Congratulations to all — many more victories to follow!!!”
Merz said that his priority is to “strengthen Europe as quickly as possible” and “achieve independence” from the United States.
“I am communicating closely with a lot of prime ministers, and heads of EU states and for me it is an absolute priority to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible, so that we achieve independence from the US, step by step,” he stated, according to German media, adding, “I never thought that I would ever need to say something like that, on television, but after the latest statements made by Donald Trump last week, it is clear, that the Americans — at any case these Americans, this administration — mostly don’t care about the fate of Europe one way or another.”
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the election results “bitter.”
“This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party,” he said. “It is also an election defeat, and I think that needs to be made clear at the outset.”
This article was updated to reflect the most current information.
