Publish: 08:56, 24 Feb, 2025

Conservatives win German election as far-right surges

Online Desk
Conservatives win German election as far-right surges
Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, gestures while addressing supporters at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national election. Photo/AP/UNB

Germany’s conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, secured a narrow victory in Sunday’s national election, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubled its support in its strongest showing since World War II, according to projections.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat after his center-left Social Democrats suffered their worst postwar result, finishing third. Projections from ARD and ZDF put Merz’s Union bloc at 28.5%, AfD at 20.5%, and the Social Democrats at just over 16%. The Greens polled at 12%, while smaller parties, including the left-wing BSW, hovered around the 5% threshold for parliamentary seats.

The election, held seven months early after Scholz’s coalition collapsed, was dominated by economic stagnation, migration concerns, and geopolitical uncertainty over Ukraine and Europe’s alliance with the U.S.

Merz aims to form a government by Easter, but coalition talks will be complex. He has ruled out working with AfD, despite its historic gains. If he lacks a majority, he may need a deal with the Social Democrats and Greens.

AfD leaders hailed their result as a shift in Germany’s political landscape, but Scholz and other mainstream politicians vowed to keep the far right out of government.

More than 59 million Germans were eligible to vote for the 630-seat Bundestag, which will shape the country’s direction amid rising global challenges.

Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan

More News
800 killed in Gaza since May 27 trying to get aid: UN
800 killed in Gaza since May 27 trying to get aid: UN
Mahmoud Khalil files $20 million claim against Trump administration
Mahmoud Khalil files $20 million claim against Trump administration
Clinic in Khan Younis evacuated amid Israeli military advance
Clinic in Khan Younis evacuated amid Israeli military advance
Evidence of ongoing 'crimes against humanity' in Darfur found: ICC
Evidence of ongoing 'crimes against humanity' in Darfur found: ICC
Chinese dam a ticking bomb, says Arunachal CM
Chinese dam a ticking bomb, says Arunachal CM
Chinese students sleep in libraries, tents as heatwave grips eastern China
Chinese students sleep in libraries, tents as heatwave grips eastern China
Children queuing for supplements killed in Israeli strike
Children queuing for supplements killed in Israeli strike
Russia’s drone war escalates, straining Ukraine’s defenses, civilian morale
Russia’s drone war escalates, straining Ukraine’s defenses, civilian morale
UK to begin returning migrants to France in weeks under new bilateral deal
UK to begin returning migrants to France in weeks under new bilateral deal
Russia and US hold 'frank' talks on Ukraine war
Russia and US hold 'frank' talks on Ukraine war
Search for survivors after Houthis sink 2nd Red Sea cargo ship
Search for survivors after Houthis sink 2nd Red Sea cargo ship
19 missing and recover 9 bodies after flooding in Nepal
19 missing and recover 9 bodies after flooding in Nepal
Latest News
No explosive found following bomb threat on Biman aircraft
No explosive found following bomb threat on Biman aircraft
8 hours ago | National
800 killed in Gaza since May 27 trying to get aid: UN
800 killed in Gaza since May 27 trying to get aid: UN
9 hours ago | International
Power generation increases at Kaptai Hydropower Plant
Power generation increases at Kaptai Hydropower Plant
9 hours ago | National
Dengue: 138 more dengue cases reported in 24hrs
Dengue: 138 more dengue cases reported in 24hrs
9 hours ago | National
Bangladesh off to a flying start in tournament opener
Bangladesh off to a flying start in tournament opener
9 hours ago | Sports
EC moves forward with full swing preparations for 13th parliamentary elections
EC moves forward with full swing preparations for 13th parliamentary elections
10 hours ago | National
Mahmoud Khalil files $20 million claim against Trump administration
Mahmoud Khalil files $20 million claim against Trump administration
10 hours ago | International
Earth's rotation speeding up, leading to slightly shorter days: Report
Earth's rotation speeding up, leading to slightly shorter days: Report
10 hours ago | Tech
Abul Barkat sent to jail
Abul Barkat sent to jail
11 hours ago | National
Multi-vehicle crash injures 11 on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway
Multi-vehicle crash injures 11 on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway
12 hours ago | National
Over 41,000 families stranded due to Noakhali flood
Over 41,000 families stranded due to Noakhali flood
12 hours ago | National
Ex-law minister Anisul sent to jail in arms case
Ex-law minister Anisul sent to jail in arms case
12 hours ago | National
50 wild birds rescued from Mirpur
50 wild birds rescued from Mirpur
12 hours ago | City
1.5 lakh Rohingyas entered Bangladesh in 18 months: UN
1.5 lakh Rohingyas entered Bangladesh in 18 months: UN
13 hours ago | National
MoU inked to promote Dhaka-Bangkok trade
MoU inked to promote Dhaka-Bangkok trade
13 hours ago | Economy
BSF pushes 10 people in Bangladesh
BSF pushes 10 people in Bangladesh
13 hours ago | National
High-level Jamaat delegation off to China
High-level Jamaat delegation off to China
13 hours ago | National
Application for SSC result reassessment begins
Application for SSC result reassessment begins
13 hours ago | National
Lack of ability to bat deep hurt us: Litton
Lack of ability to bat deep hurt us: Litton
13 hours ago | Sports
When a home minister turns a protector for terrorists
When a home minister turns a protector for terrorists
14 hours ago | Special
All ongoing crises to end if a specific election date announced: Shamsuzzaman
All ongoing crises to end if a specific election date announced: Shamsuzzaman
14 hours ago | National
Clinic in Khan Younis evacuated amid Israeli military advance
Clinic in Khan Younis evacuated amid Israeli military advance
14 hours ago | International
1418 more held in 24hrs
1418 more held in 24hrs
14 hours ago | National
Torrential rains wreak havoc on crops over 72,000 hectares
Torrential rains wreak havoc on crops over 72,000 hectares
14 hours ago | Economy
Evidence of ongoing 'crimes against humanity' in Darfur found: ICC
Evidence of ongoing 'crimes against humanity' in Darfur found: ICC
14 hours ago | International
Feni flood situation getting better after pause in rainfall
Feni flood situation getting better after pause in rainfall
15 hours ago | National
Begum Zia urges govt to ensure advanced care for singer Farida Parveen
Begum Zia urges govt to ensure advanced care for singer Farida Parveen
15 hours ago | Showbiz
Chinese dam a ticking bomb, says Arunachal CM
Chinese dam a ticking bomb, says Arunachal CM
15 hours ago | International
GP opens ‘Grameenphone One’ to transform digital ecosystem for next-gen users
GP opens ‘Grameenphone One’ to transform digital ecosystem for next-gen users
15 hours ago | Corporate Corner
Al Mahmud’s 89th birth anniversary being celebrated Friday
Al Mahmud’s 89th birth anniversary being celebrated Friday
16 hours ago | Special
Most Read
Online registration, postal voting for expatriates to cost nearly Tk48 crore: EC
Online registration, postal voting for expatriates to cost nearly Tk48 crore: EC
20 hours ago | National
GP opens ‘Grameenphone One’ to transform digital ecosystem for next-gen users
GP opens ‘Grameenphone One’ to transform digital ecosystem for next-gen users
15 hours ago | Corporate Corner
Villages submerged across Bangladesh as floodwaters rise
Villages submerged across Bangladesh as floodwaters rise
20 hours ago | National
Former Janata Bank chairman Abul Barkat arrested over corruption allegations
Former Janata Bank chairman Abul Barkat arrested over corruption allegations
21 hours ago | Economy
Application for SSC result reassessment begins
Application for SSC result reassessment begins
13 hours ago | National
No explosive found following bomb threat on Biman aircraft
No explosive found following bomb threat on Biman aircraft
8 hours ago | National
Torrential rains wreak havoc on crops over 72,000 hectares
Torrential rains wreak havoc on crops over 72,000 hectares
14 hours ago | Economy
Chinese students sleep in libraries, tents as heatwave grips eastern China
Chinese students sleep in libraries, tents as heatwave grips eastern China
17 hours ago | International
1.5 lakh Rohingyas entered Bangladesh in 18 months: UN
1.5 lakh Rohingyas entered Bangladesh in 18 months: UN
13 hours ago | National
Foreign investment declining for four reasons
Foreign investment declining for four reasons
18 hours ago | Special
Feni flood situation getting better after pause in rainfall
Feni flood situation getting better after pause in rainfall
15 hours ago | National
High-level Jamaat delegation off to China
High-level Jamaat delegation off to China
13 hours ago | National
AI set to transform 47% of UK job roles by 2030, say tech leaders
AI set to transform 47% of UK job roles by 2030, say tech leaders
19 hours ago | Tech
Rizvi calls for early elections, rejects reform rhetoric
Rizvi calls for early elections, rejects reform rhetoric
17 hours ago | National
Turksat expands satellite internet access across Syria to boost digital services
Turksat expands satellite internet access across Syria to boost digital services
18 hours ago | Tech
Custom houses open today and tomorrow
Custom houses open today and tomorrow
20 hours ago | Economy
When a home minister turns a protector for terrorists
When a home minister turns a protector for terrorists
14 hours ago | Special
Multi-vehicle crash injures 11 on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway
Multi-vehicle crash injures 11 on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway
12 hours ago | National
Russia and US hold 'frank' talks on Ukraine war
Russia and US hold 'frank' talks on Ukraine war
20 hours ago | International
Commerce adviser meets US trade representative as tariff talks continue
Commerce adviser meets US trade representative as tariff talks continue
20 hours ago | National
Trump threatens 35% tariff on Canadian goods, hints at global trade escalation
Trump threatens 35% tariff on Canadian goods, hints at global trade escalation
18 hours ago | Economy
Russia’s drone war escalates, straining Ukraine’s defenses, civilian morale
Russia’s drone war escalates, straining Ukraine’s defenses, civilian morale
18 hours ago | International
Evidence of ongoing 'crimes against humanity' in Darfur found: ICC
Evidence of ongoing 'crimes against humanity' in Darfur found: ICC
14 hours ago | International
Clinic in Khan Younis evacuated amid Israeli military advance
Clinic in Khan Younis evacuated amid Israeli military advance
14 hours ago | International
Chinese dam a ticking bomb, says Arunachal CM
Chinese dam a ticking bomb, says Arunachal CM
15 hours ago | International
All ongoing crises to end if a specific election date announced: Shamsuzzaman
All ongoing crises to end if a specific election date announced: Shamsuzzaman
14 hours ago | National
BSF pushes 10 people in Bangladesh
BSF pushes 10 people in Bangladesh
13 hours ago | National
50 wild birds rescued from Mirpur
50 wild birds rescued from Mirpur
12 hours ago | City
Bangladesh off to a flying start in tournament opener
Bangladesh off to a flying start in tournament opener
9 hours ago | Sports
Riders beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by eight runs
Riders beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by eight runs
20 hours ago | Sports