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Inaugural session of the German lower house of Parliament, the Bundestag, in Berlin
What We're Watching

Germany's new parliament faces historic challenges

On Tuesday, newly elected members of the Bundestag took their oaths and their seats at a historic moment for Germany. Friedrich Merz of the center-right CDU/CSU remains in talks with the center-left SPD in hopes of forming a government in the coming weeks.

​Ten thousand protesters gather in front of Duesseldorf Central Station to march against the AfD's upcoming afternoon rally in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Feb. 15, 2025.
Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Far right surges to prominence ahead of German elections

Amid a deep economic crisis and renewed migration concerns, the far-right party Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is poised to double its vote share in this weekend’s general elections. We talked to Eurasia Group expert Jan Techau, about how the AfD's increasing strength is transforming German politics.

​German conservative CDU candidate for chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a campaign event in Vechta, Germany, on Feb. 19, 2025.
What We're Watching

Election-eve shifts in Germany?

The CDU/CSU is very likely to win, making Friedrich Merz the country’s new chancellor. But he’s likely to lead a coalition government with a weak mandate, in part because he has vowed to reject any cooperation with the AfD.

Illustration of Chancellor Olaf Scholz  next to a traffic light
by ian bremmer

Germany’s political crisis, explained

While the United States was still busy counting votes, Germany’s ruling coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz suddenly fell apart last Wednesday, plunging Europe’s largest economy into chaos.

Germany’s frenemy kingmakers
News

Germany’s frenemy kingmakers

The fate of Germany's next three-way coalition government is up to two minority parties that don't agree on much — other than that this time, they both want to be in it.