Conservatives win German election as far-right party becomes second largest

Mainstream conservatives in Germany, led by Friedrich Merz, have won the national election, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has become the second-largest party. This marks a significant shift in the political landscape. Merz's Christian Democrats secured 208 seats in the Bundestag, while the AfD gained 152 seats. The center-left Social Democrats, part of the previous coalition, suffered losses, dropping to 120 seats. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz will remain in a caretaker role until a new government is formed. Merz aims to establish a coalition with the Social Democrats, but has ruled out partnering with the AfD.