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This past weekend, February 23-25, Germany awaited the results of Europe’s most important election of the year. The 2025 German federal election, held on February 23, was moved up due to intense political turmoil. In November 2024, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), made the shocking decision to fire Finance Minister Christian Lindner–a move that created a political upheaval and broke relationships within the ruling coalition and with key allies. A loss of confidence led to the dissolution of the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, prompting an early election to restore political stability. The economy, immigration, and rising far-right beliefs became central topics for debate.
Given the increasing influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), it was surprising that Elon Musk publicly supported the AfD, which Chancellor Scholz condemned as “disgusting.”
Despite the AfD’s extreme right-wing positions, the party’s rise signaled growing frustration with traditional political elites. The AfD’s ideology has been compared to Nazi-era nationalism due to its anti-immigration, anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, and extreme nationalism. Weidel refused to distance the party from more radical elements, including individuals who have minimized the Holocaust or downplayed Germany’s Nazi past.
Germany’s history of “never again” is central to the nation’s identity, with the horrors of the Holocaust serving as a constant reminder of the dangers of unchecked nationalism. Also, the AfD’s rise poses a significant threat to this commitment, with many fearing that the party’s rhetoric and ties to neo-Nazi groups are a step backward in Germany’s moral and democratic progress.
The nation’s leaders now face the uncomfortable reality that a dangerous fringe movement has gained traction in the political space, with Germany’s stability and core values of democracy and remembrance being threatened.
Thus, the results marked a dramatic shift in Germany’s politics. Friedrich Merz and the conservative Union bloc emerged victorious, but the Alternative for Germany (AfD) made significant gains and nearly doubled its support, achieving the strongest performance for a far-right party since World War II.
The AfD’s rise further weakened the political center, leaving Merz with a task of navigating coalition talks. Although Weidel expressed a willingness to negotiate coalition agreements, Merz ruled out cooperation with the party due to deep policy differences.
The Social Democrats, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered defeat, securing their worst post-war election result. This outcome sets the stage for an uncertain coalition government, while the public is left hoping that leaders can sort it out quickly and begin addressing the political fractures left in the wake of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s tenure.
