German conservatives win election as far-right support surges

Germany's conservative CDU/CSU party, led by Friedrich Merz, won nearly 29% of the vote in the recent national elections, making it the largest party. Merz is expected to replace Olaf Scholz as chancellor. The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party doubled its support, receiving just under 21% of the vote. Merz has ruled out forming a coalition with the AfD, which complicates his path to govern. Merz must negotiate with other parties to form a coalition, likely with the centrist SPD or a three-way alliance including the Greens. The pro-business FDP did not meet the threshold for representation.