Berlin, Germany – The center-right Christian Democrats emerged as the winners in the recent election, securing 30.2 percent of the vote, as projected by German public television. On the other hand, the extreme-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made significant strides, finishing in second place with 16 percent of the vote, marking a 5 percentage point increase from the 2019 EU election. The AfD’s success can be attributed to the concerns surrounding the influx of asylum seekers in Germany over the past decade.

In contrast, the Social Democrats led by Scholz saw a steep decline, receiving less than 14 percent of the vote. This marks a drastic fall for a party that has been a mainstay in Germany’s political scene. The Social Democrats’ diminishing performance, with just 15.8 percent of the vote in the 2019 election, highlights their struggle to maintain support.

Despite being the face of the campaign, Scholz faced a humiliating defeat, with low approval ratings casting a shadow over the party’s performance. Katarina Barley, the party’s lead candidate for the European race, expressed disappointment over the lack of support from Berlin, acknowledging the bitter outcome of the election.

The uncertain future of Scholz’s government raises questions about its survival. While German coalitions typically remain intact until the end of a term, the current coalition’s composition of three parties, rather than the usual two, adds a level of volatility to the political landscape. This dynamic situation presents a challenge for the stability of the government going forward.