Germany’s conservative bloc, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), led by Friedrich Merz, has emerged as the victor in the 2025 federal election.
The CDU/CSU secured 28.6 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results released by ARD on Sunday evening.
However, the party must seek coalition partners to form a government.
Despite the impressive showing by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which garnered 20.8 percent of the vote, the CDU has ruled out any cooperation with them.
This marks the AfD’s best election result to date, making it the country’s second-largest party.