AP PHOTOS: Conservatives celebrate German election win as the far right sees historic success

Sunday 23 February 2025 20:52 GMT

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German opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have won a lackluster victory in a national election Sunday, projections show.

Alternative for Germany nearly doubled its support, the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II.

Merz said he was aware of the dimension of the task he faces to make a governing coalition and said that “it will not be easy.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat for his center-left Social Democrats.

The election was dominated by worries about the years-long stagnation of Europe’s biggest economy, pressure to curb migration and growing uncertainty over Europe’s alliance with the United States.

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AP PHOTOS: Conservatives celebrate German election win as the far right sees historic success

AP PHOTOS: Conservatives celebrate German election win as the far right sees historic success

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