Conservative party leads in German election as far-right support rises

The German conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is projected to win the most votes in a snap election, with 28.5% support. This follows a rise in far-right sentiment, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) receiving 20.5% of the vote. Voter turnout was high at 83.5%, the highest since reunification in 1990. The CDU's leader, Friedrich Merz, plans to form a coalition, likely with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens, while rejecting a partnership with the AfD. The SPD, led by Olaf Scholz, is projected to receive only 16.5% of the vote, marking a significant decline. Scholz emphasized the need to avoid collaboration with the far-right, which has gained traction in recent elections.