German election sees conservative alliance lead while far-right AfD gains ground

In Germany's recent national election, the conservative alliance led by Friedrich Merz won the most seats, while the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) nearly doubled its representation. The AfD gained significant support, especially in former East Germany, reaching 46.7% in some areas. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian partner, the Christian Social Union (CSU), secured about 29% of the national vote, totaling 208 seats. The Social Democrats (SPD), previously the largest party, fell to third place with 120 seats, losing around 2 million votes. Voter turnout was high at 83.5%, the highest since 1990. The AfD mobilized around 2 million non-voters and received over 10.3 million votes, reflecting a shift in support across demographics, particularly among men and those with lower education levels.