Germans Vote After Big Campaign on Economy and Safety
Germans started voting on Sunday after a heated election campaign full of talks about their weak economy and recent deadly attacks. These issues made migration and security the main focus. Around 59.2 million people can vote, and polls say 20% were still unsure even on election day. Voting began at 8:00 AM (7:00 GMT) and will end at 6:00 PM (5:00 GMT), with results coming out by evening.
Friedrich Merz Could Be Next Leader
Friedrich Merz, a 69-year-old leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU), is the top choice to become Germany’s next chancellor. His party has been ahead in surveys, and this election is important for Europe and the US. Merz says he’ll fix Germany’s big problems—like its shaky economy and old infrastructure—in four years. If he wins, he’ll need to team up with another party, maybe Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), whose government fell apart last year.
Far-Right AfD Grows Strong
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) might come second, beating Scholz’s SPD. Merz said he won’t work with AfD, even though they’re getting stronger. On Saturday, people protested against AfD in many cities. The campaign ended with a big TV debate—the ninth this month—showing how much this election matters. Germans feel it’s a turning point for their country and its role in the world. Also: Pope Francis enjoyed a calm night of rest after weathering a respiratory scare and receiving blood transfusions.
Economy and Migration Worries
Germany’s economy, the biggest in Europe, has shrunk for two years, and people are upset about rising costs. A Gallup poll says only 27% feel life is getting better, down from 42% in 2023. Many are also angry about migration after attacks by people of migrant origin, like a Syrian refugee stabbing a tourist in Berlin on Friday. This has changed how Germans think since they welcomed refugees in 2015.
What People Think
Ludmila Ballhorn, a 76-year-old from Berlin, plans to vote AfD because her 800-euro pension isn’t enough anymore. “Rents and everything else are too high,” she said. Meanwhile, Mike Zeller, a 26-year-old worker, hopes his friends vote for Merz’s CDU. “The last government didn’t do well, and Merz looks strong abroad,” he said. He wants a government that keeps AfD out.
Tough Times Ahead for Germany
If Merz wins, he’ll lead Europe’s biggest economy, but it won’t be easy. Germany helps Ukraine a lot with military aid, but the new US President calls Ukraine’s leader a dictator and talks of trade wars. US Vice President JD Vance even met AfD’s leader, Alice Weidel, worrying German leaders. At home, Merz might have to relax budget rules to spend more on the military.
Coalition Talks Will Be Hard
Merz’s CDU/CSU might not win enough votes alone, so they’ll need partners. A tie-up with SPD is possible, but talks could take months because Germany’s politics are split. Scholz might stay as caretaker chancellor for a while, slowing down fixes for the economy. Smaller parties could also join if they get 5% votes, making things trickier.
Elon Musk and Trump Join In
The campaign got louder with US leaders like Elon Musk and JD Vance supporting AfD, which surprised Germans. Scholz’s SPD, Greens, and Free Democrats fell apart last November over money fights, and SPD might get its worst result ever. AfD, only 12 years old, could hit its best score yet, but no big party wants to work with them because of Germany’s Nazi past.
Why This Election Matters
Europe hopes Merz brings a strong government to fix Germany and help the EU. Some want him to change the “debt brake” rule that stops borrowing for new projects. Germans are worried about their future, feeling worse than they did since the 2008 money crisis. This vote could shape Germany’s path at home and abroad for years.
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